SOUTH Wales Central Welsh Assembly member Andrew RT Davies has been elected to serve as the Rhoose ward representative on the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The Welsh Conservative candidate polled 1140 votes in a by-election held for the seat on Thursday February 14.

Independent candidate Sarah Campbell received 345 votes while Welsh Labour candidate John Hartland gained 368 votes.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Tory councillor Matthew Lloyd in December last year.

Mr Lloyd quit in protest at his administration’s proposals to close Llancarfan School and make way for a new-build school in Rhoose.

Mr Davies’ campaign had included a pledge to oppose the school closure plan,

Cllr Davies said: “It is a huge honour to have been elected to serve the people of Rhoose and the surrounding villages as their new councillor. I would like to thank everyone who voted – including the 1140 people who placed their trust in me – as well as my fellow candidates. I look forward to working alongside Cllr Gordon Kemp and delivering on my six-point plan for Rhoose, including fighting to reverse the decision to close Llancarfan School.”

Vale council leader Cllr John Thomas said: “Andrew RT Davies is a very experienced politician and will be an asset to the Conservative group on the Vale of Glamorgan Council. Andrew has made clear his views on the transfer of Llancarfan School and this matter will be determined in due course by the council cabinet, in the best interests of the pupils which we have the responsibility to educate.”

Vale council Labour opposition leader, Cllr Neil Moore said he always thought being an Assembly Member was a full-time job, but perhaps that wasn’t the case for Regional or ‘List Members’.

He said: “It will be interesting to see if his Regional constituents will accept this dual role, because I don’t understand how he can devote himself to both jobs. I will also be interested to see if newly elected Cllr Davies will be able to keep his election promise to the people and pupils of Llancarfan School and succeed in stopping the Conservative Cabinet’s decision to close Llancarfan School. I wish Cllr ART Davies AM the best of luck, in what I see as a very diverse, divided and troubled Conservative group on the Vale council.”