Welsh Conservative Rob Caffel won the by-election for the Town Ward of Monmouth Town Council by the narrow margin of two votes last week.

He pipped Indy’s Rachel Jupp to the winning post, polling 63 votes over her 61. Labour’s Patrick Harkness came third with 50 votes.

This means that the Conservatives, with their five seats on the council, now equal the number of Indy councillors, with four independents, one Liberal Democrat and one Welsh Labour councillor making up the political mix. There were no rejected ballot papers and turnout was 31.7 per cent. 577 electors were entitled to vote and 183 ballot papers were issued.

The full results are: Rob Caffel, Welsh Conservative - 63. Rachel Jupp, Indy - 61. Patrick Harkness, Welsh Labour - 50. Sian Damon, Plaid Cymru - 6. Gary Witcombe, Independent - 3.

Mr Caffel will take his seat at the next full meeting of Monmouth Town Council on the 4th December at the Shire Hall at 7pm.

All are welcome.