HILARY Frank says she is ‘honoured’ to continue serving the people of Saltash Essa after winning last week’s Cornwall Council election with a majority of 406 votes.

The Liberal Democrats candidate collected half the votes for the division, defeating Reform UK’s Trevor Woodward (583 votes), Pete Samuels (Conservative) 190, Craig Mills (Labour) 120) and Richard Bickford (Independent) 111.

A clearly emotional Cllr Frank said: “Thank you to the people of Saltash Essa for voting politics that bring people together, not divides us.

“It means so much to me and I am emotional because I really do care about our community. It really is a real honour to be able to serve. Going round on the doorsteps, campaigning is tiring, it’s challenging, but it’s also a really good chance to hear what people are worried about, what their hopes for the future are, so I’ve picked up lots of good things from listening to them.”

First elected to Cornwall Council back in 2013, Cllr Frank has for years worked tirelessly on numerous projects in and around Saltash and she pledged following her victory to continue to do so for the next four years.

“Abolishing, not just discounting, the Tamar tolls was a big things people spoke about,” she said. “There are also issues with housing, there are huge issues – but it’s across the country – with SEND, those people with special educational needs, so it’s another reason why I’m really pleased to get elected because I will be working closely with the MP for North Cornwall, Ben Maguire, who is taking up that torch at a higher level.”

Cllr Frank added that she would continue to work closely with Saltash Community School, the Saltash Youth Network – and all the groups and organisations associated with that – at trying to do more to help young people within the town.