TWO independent county councillors are basking in election success – three weeks before voters go to the polls.

Councillors Sally Robertson and David Taylor have both secured another term in their respective Herefordshire wards as no-one was nominated to stand against them.

Coun Robertson will represent the Burghill, Holmer and Lyde ward for a third successive time, while Coun Taylor is the Stoney Street member for the fifth term of office in a row.

“I am delighted to be able to represent the people of Burghill, Holmer and Lyde for another four years and will continue to work hard on their behalf,” said Coun Robertson.

“This also now gives me a mandate to carry on with the various projects I am involved in within the ward and to promote independent principles of honesty and integrity in local government, free from the constraints of party politics.”

Coun Taylor, who started off on the former Herefordshire Rural District Council in 1970, said he was delighted to be standing once again.

He said he intends to work on a number of ward issues including auctioneers Brightwells who intend to build a new base in Madley, which he hopes will create a number of jobs for residents in the area.

In 2007, Coun Robertson collected more than 90 per cent of the vote in her ward.

She saw off Green Party rival Julia Parker-Harris by 872 votes.

Four years earlier she was elected for the first time after beating Conservative James Makin and Lib Dem Mary Short.

Coun Taylor finished ahead of Lib Dem Joanne Yates and Green Lyn Rushbrooke at the last election.

In 2003 he collected almost twice as many votes (636) as second-placed Conservative Marsha Barnsley (320).

A full list of nominations for the May 5 elections to Herefordshire Council can be found at hereford times.com/news.