In a by-election on Thursday 4 November Leah Toseland was elected to Rutland County Council as Ward Member for Oakham North West, making her Rutland's first Labour councillor in more than 20 years. On the same day Councillor Alan Walters announced that he was resigning from the Conservative party and will continue to serve as an independent.
The by-election in Oakham North West was called following the resignation of independent Adam Lowe. There were two candidates in the by-election with Labour's Leah Toseland receiving 293 votes and the Conservative candidate, Daniel Bottomley, receiving 175 votes.
Councillor Alan Walters represents Oakham North East on Rutland County Council and has been a cabinet member for five years, with responsibilities including health, adult safeguarding and social care, and leisure. Councillor Walters announced his resignation from the Conservative party after the polls closed in the Oakham North West by-election.
Following the election of Leah Toseland and Alan Walters becoming an independent, there are 13 Conservative councillors out of a total of 27 Rutland County Council members. There are eight independents, four Liberal Democrats, one Labour and one Green Party member.

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