Lib Dem gain seat on Swanage Town Council

4.44.29pm GMT Wed 30th Nov 2005

Owing to the sad death of Councillor Hilary O'Donovan, her Liberal Democrat colleague, Mike Hadley, has been co-opted to take her place on Swanage Town Council. As Tory Councillor Bill Trite said, in proposing him for the position: " It is only fair that another Liberal Democrat should be appointed in her place". On accepting the position, Mike Hadley said he was honoured to have the opportunity to try to follow Hilary, but also noted that it was democratically fair to have been chosen, because at the last election in 2003 he was the candidate with the next highest number of votes, narrowly losing by only five votes after two recounts.

Mike Hadley, 50, is a long-term resident of Swanage, the son and grandson of former residents. As a self-employed family man with young children he is thoroughly involved in many aspects of Swanage life. He is enthusiastic in his desire to do all he can to help make Swanage a better place, and is extensively involved with a number of local organisations to which he has dedicated many hours of service. He is a long-standing committee member of the Swanage Residents Association, was on the steering committee for the Swanage & Town Community Partnership, and is a committee member of the Swanage branch of the Liberal Democrats. He also conceived, set up and facilitates the independent website forum for the community <www.swanageview.co.uk> which is proving a popular and useful vehicle for the exchange of information.