I'M delighted to have been elected as the Craven District Councillor for Penyghent. I would like to thank the people of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Stainforth and Giggleswick for putting their faith in me to take their concerns to the council chamber down in Skipton.

I wish to pay tribute to my predecessor, Cllr Richard Welch, who passed away earlier this year. A strong voice for our area, Richard was a champion for working people, and he will be sorely missed. I aim to build on the legacy of passionate, local representation that Richard brought to our area.

During this well-fought campaign, many issues have been raised by residents across the ward that I can now begin to address. I look forward to getting stuck in, and delivering the change that will improve our lives in the upper reaches of Ribblesdale.

Finally, I would like to give a special thanks to my election agent Gillie Gill, and also Brooke Hull and Cllr David Staveley, for their assistance with my campaign.

To my friends and family, who turned out in droves, I cannot thank you enough for helping me to take my message of localism to the doorstep. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Cllr Robert Ogden

Austwick