HEXHAM has opted for change at town council level.

Current town mayor Bob Hull and former mayor Tom Gillanders both lost their seats in the local elections, while a group of independents – OpenHexham – performed well.

Hexham Town Council is now an even split of seven men and seven women, with five OpenHexham Independents voted in at the polls, alongside three Conservatives, two Labour, two other independents and two Lib Dem members.

OpenHexham Independents is now the largest group on the town council after a campaign combining community consultation, leafleting, social media and a series of public meetings - including one with Jackie Weaver as keynote speaker.

The following candidates were elected as councillors: Leazes ward: Ariane Baty and Fay Hartland and Priestpopple ward: Mike Domingue, Chip Ponsford and Lee Williscroft-Ferris.

Commenting on the results, Fay Hartland, councillor-elect for Leazes ward, said “This is fantastic news for Hexham.

“Seven independent councillors, including five from OpenHexham, means that the town council has an opportunity to transform local democracy in our town without the restraints of party politics.”

There has also been a seismic demographic shift in the make-up of the council, including members of the BAME and LGBT communities.

Lee Williscroft-Ferris, newly elected councillor for Priestpopple ward, added: “Diversity matters.

It’s vital that everyone in Hexham can see themselves reflected in the people representing them. This is just the first step in making Hexham Town Council the proactive, consultative, representative body the people in our town deserve.”

The new and returning Hexham councillors - including Steve Ball (Cons), Trever Cessford (Cons), Penny Grennan (Labour), Ginnie O’Farrell (Lib Dem), John Ord (Labour), Derek Kennedy (Independent ), Alison Smith (Independent) Denise Bell (Cons and Suzanne Fairless-Aitken (Lib Dem) - will all be engaging with the public in new ways and plan to deliver a package of improvements based on public consultation.

The Hexham Neighbourhood plan, which will help to decide planning applications in the area in the future, was also voted in, with ​3,603 residents having voted yes and only ​702 voting no.