IT was a night of mixed fortunes when voters went to the polls on Thursday.

The biggest casualty at Harlow Council was council chairman Nick Macy who lost his seat after challenging the Labour stronghold of Little Parndon and Hare Street, which went to Jean Clark.

However the council's make-up remains the same after all three of the main political parties held the seats up for grabs.

Conservative group leader Andrew Johnson retained his Sumners and Kingsmoor seat while environment committee chairman Chris Millington held on to his Bush Fair seat, by just 39 votes.

Mr Johnson said: "I'm very pleased voters have endorsed last year's results and that they've recognised what we've achieved over the last 12 months."

Labour held on to their three seats in Little Parndon and Hare Street, Harlow Common and Toddbrook.

Labour leader Kevin Brooks said: "Across the country there seems to be a swing against Labour, but here in Harlow it looks like the result is the same, if not better, than last year.

"I believe that shows we're now back on track and voters are starting to show they're dissatisfied with the first year under the rule of the coalition."

The council make-up is now Conservatives on 12, Liberal Democrats on 12 and Labour on 9.

The Liberal Democrats have taken overall control of Uttlesford Council after all 44 seats went up for grabs for the first time since 1999. The council had previously been ruled by a Conservative-Independent coalition.

Twenty-three candidates fought for the ten seats in the Citizen's area, with the Liberal Democrats taking the Elsenham and Henham, Stansted South and Stansted North wards, the Conservatives winning Broad Oak and the Hallingburys ward, and Independent councillors Mark Lemon and Elizabeth Godwin winning Hatfield Heath and Birchanger respectively.

Liberal Democrat group leader Alan Dean said: "It's exceeded my highest expectations. We've run a very good campaign over the last 12 months and hope now that we can reorganise the council to deliver better services without spending more money."

The council make-up is now Liberal Democrat 31, Conservative 10, Independent 3.

All the Conservative East Herts councillors retained thier seats in Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth, helping their party remain in overall control.

Council leader Mike Carver said: "It was a great result. I think it demonstrates that we're tackling key issues in the district and meeting the community's needs. It's going to be an interesting four years."

Liberal Democrats Graham McAndrew, Mike Wood and Mione Goldspink were also re-elected, as was independent councillor Keith Barnes.

In other parts of the district the Labour group suffered heavy losses after losing all seven of their seats. They were hit particularly hard in their previous strongholds of Ware and Hertford.

Labour leader Colin Harris said: "It was quite devastating but is one of the ways democracy operates. This is the first time there have been no Labour councillors at all on the district council and obviously it's a great shame for us. I think those who normally vote Labour just decided to stay at home."

The council make-up is now Conservative 41, Liberal Democrat 7, Independent 2.

May 7, 2003 10:00