Andrew Wood wins Yaxley and Farcett by election

On 21 March we won the by election in Yaxley and Farcett. Liberal Democrats are now the largest group on Cambridgeshire County Council. Showing

The Conservative vote share dropped from 56.9% to 28.5%, and Labour from 17.7% to 10.6% as Liberal Democrats won with 31% of the vote.

Our new County Councillor, Andrew Wood, writes:

I moved to Yaxley in 1997 and feel incredibly fortunate to call this area my home.

My first sizeable public activity was my involvement in the initial Yaxley Festival in 2013, which brought a wonderful sense of community to the village and which I was very proud to play my part as Secretary of the event, working with an inspiring team of people.

It was my strong desire to give back to the community that led me to join Yaxley Parish Council in 2012, eventually becoming vice chairman of the council in 2023. My experience as a parish councillor means that I have a unique understanding of the issues facing our communities and that I have a strong record of getting things done for our area.

However, my time as a parish councillor has also made it clear to me that we are often overlooked and neglected by the Conservatives, who for too long have taken our votes for granted here. This isn’t good enough; I’m glad to be our newest County Councillor so that I can do things differently to how the Conservatives have in the past.

I passionately believe that being accountable and visible in the community is essential for any County Councillor. Unlike others, I will not vanish after election time; you will hear from me all year round and always have the chance to make your voice heard or to hold me to account.

The County Division of Yaxley and Farcet has a great history and a distinct character. One of my top priorities will be to make sure that we have a strong, local, independent voice that will speak up for our needs, and protect the unique character of our villages. We cannot allow more and more housebuilding without action to prevent flooding and proper protection of our green spaces.

It is due to the area’s rich history, that I am passionate about the retention of the its character, from the Napoleonic connections of Norman Cross to the many historic elements of Yaxley and Farcet. We have a lot to be proud of and should not allow our history to be lost.

Great Haddon

Whilst many new housing developments are welcomed, the increasing size of Peterborough is beginning to encroach on Norman Cross, Yaxley and Farcet. All developments should be managed responsibly, whilst respecting the individuality of local villages. I am keen to encourage the retention of green space between the borders of our villages and surrounding developments and the retention of their character.

On behalf of Yaxley Parish Council, I have been liaising with our local MP. Peterborough City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Middle Level Commissioners (the local drainage authority) and the developers, to control the recent significant increase in surface drainage into Yaxley. This has increased the amount of flooding in the area over recent months and is beyond the capacity of the original watercourse.