A Conservative councillor has been elected as North Yorkshire’s new police, fire and crime commissioner.
Zoë Metcalfe has been announced as the winner after yesterday’s by-election.
Ms Metcalfe received 34.385 first choice votes and 7,375 second choice votes, giving her 41,760 votes in total
Labour candidate Emma Scott-Spivey came second with 26,895 votes in total.
Turnout was less than 14 per cent.
Second preferences were counted as no candidate had more than 50 per cent of the vote.
Ms Metcalfe is a project manager for a property company in addition to being a member of Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.
Her parents ran a coal merchants business in Leyburn’s railway yard for many years.
Simon Dennis, chief executive of the office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said: “I am delighted to welcome Zoë to the role of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
“Together with the Chief Constable and the Interim Chief Fire Officer, I look forward to working with her in the years ahead.
How can someone be Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Who does not know anything about fire fighting or the police service?
She will be winging her way through the job know doubt on the backs of other more experienced employees and taking all the credit.
Less than 14% turnout to vote for a new Police and Crime Commissioner, tells you something about this role!! People don’t understand what it is, or are not bothered. It’s hardly a ringing endorsement and begs the question why we need such a post. Just extra cost and bureaucracy. The system worked well before. What experience and qualifications are required to carry out the post? there appears to be no consistency nationwide or accountability.
Yet another inexpert appointment to a pointless post and a waste of the taxpayer’s money. Chief Constables and their senior officers are perfectly able to run a police force without any help from PCCs.