By Martin Giles

A new parish councillor for Ash has been elected unopposed. Pat Scott stood as an Independent. She will be the second Independent on the parish council joining Carla Morson.

Ash Parish Council was exclusively Conservative until Cllr Morson, who represents Ash division as a Lib Dem at Surrey County, was elected in a by-election in May last year, narrowly defeating Murray Grubb.

See: Ash Parish Councillor Resigns Because of Work Time Pressure

A council spokesperson said today: “Only one valid nomination was received – from Patricia Scott, she has been elected unopposed to Ash Parish Council.  The statutory notice has been placed on the GBC and Ash Parish Council websites.”

It is understood that Ms Scott formerly served as borough and parish councillor when she was a member of the Conservative party.

During the run-up to last May’s county council elections, she criticised the Conservative candidate Nigel Manning who in a hustings meeting, held online, was heard to criticise the Lib Dem candidate Carla Morson apparently not realising his microphone was still switched on.

At the time, Ms Scott commented: “I was totally amazed that someone conversant with modern technology, in a position of being ‘very experienced’ (his own words), had made the basic mistake of not switching off his microphone and allowing a private conversation to be overheard.”

Nigel Manning is also the chairman of Ash Parish Council and a borough councillor for Ash Vale.

The Guildford Dragon is requesting an interview with Ms Scott.

See: Tory Manning’s Clanger Causes Clamour in Ash County Candidate Debate