FOLLOWING last week's historic elections to the new Cornwall Council, the largest single party were the Conservatives who took 50 out of the total of 123 seats.

The Liberal Democrats won 38 seats on the new council, with the Independent group gaining 32 seats and Mebyon Kernow taking 3 seats. The Labour Group did not win any seats.

The overall turnout was 41 per cent with figures ranging from 28 per cent in one division to around 54 per cent.

The county has also seen a higher than average turnout rate for postal votes. The normal turn out rate for postal votes is 60 per cent, but some areas of Cornwall have reported a higher turnout rate. In the North Cornwall area, for example, the turnout rate for postal votes was 72 per cent.

There were celebrations for Mebyon Kernow - The Party for Cornwall after three of their councillors were elected to serve on Cornwall Council — including Andrew Long for the Callington Division.

Mr Long polled 54 per cent of the vote in the Callington Division to defeat Conservative and Liberal Democrat opponents.

Commenting on the results, Party Leader Cllr Dick Cole said: "It is an important break through for Mebyon Kernow - the Party for Cornwall to be represented at County Hall. Our councillors are committed to working hard at the heart of local government in Cornwall and we will do our utmost to repay the faith placed in us by local communities."

With no political party or group in overall power of the new Cornwall Council, Cllr Cole called on everyone to work together for Cornwall for the next four years.

In the 'Post' area, the election results were as follows:

Altarnun — David William Eno (Ind) 559; Philip Percival Parsons (Cons) 639 ELECTED; Ken Scoble (Lib Dem) 375. Turnout 49 per cent of 3,197 electorate.

Bude North and Stratton — Nathan Brett Bale (Lib Dem) 1,557 ELECTED; Kevin Michael Harris (Cons) 595. Turnout 44 per cent of 4,931 electorate.

Bude South — Lea Deely (Cons) 196; Jaqi Heard (Meb Ker) 83; Nigel Pearce (Lib Dem) 572 ELECTED; Peter James Wonnacott (Ind) 211. Turnout 45 per cent of 2,356 electorate.

Callington — Sharon Jane Davidson (Lib Dem) 262; Andrew John Long (Meb Ker) 777 ELECTED; John Stephen McQuillan (Cons) 387. Turnout 39 per cent of 3,674 electorate.

Camelford — Janey Comber (Lib Dem) 454; Graham Gary Ford (Ind) 56; Keith Goodenough (Cons) 525 ELECTED: Julie Margaret Walters 212. Turnout 42 per cent of 2,984 electorate.

Flexbury and Poughill — Paula Sodek Dolphin (Lib Dem) 544 ELECTED); Val Newman (Ind) 532; Rowland Henry Meirion Pillman (Cons) 521. Turnout 48 per cent of 3,342 electorate.

Gunnislake — Russell James Bartlett (Cons) 512 ELECTED; Shar Daw (Ind) 67; Sam Gardner (UKIP) 288; Dorothy Kirk (Ind) 324; Nigel Douglas Miles (Green Party) 209; Matthew David Waterworth (Lib Dem) 323. Turnout 48 per cent of 3,582 electorate.

Kelly Bray — Jim Flashman (Cons) 669 ELECTED; Vicki Good (Lib Dem) 407; Glenn Renshaw (Meb Ker) 151; Robin Edward Woods (UKIP) 343. Turnout 47 per cent of 3,361 electorate.

Launceston Central — Alex Folkes (Lib Dem) 559 ELECTED; Chris Parsons (Cons) 341. Turnout 36 per cent of 2,636 electorate.

Launceston North — Adam Richard Paynter (Lib Dem) 915 ELECTED; Caroline Anne Smale (Cons) 687. Turnout 51 per cent of 3,159 electorate.

Launceston South — John Charles Conway (Cons) 330; Victoria Geach 304; Sasha Jane Gillard-Loft (Lib Dem) 517 ELECTED. Turnout 39 per cent of 2,959 electorate.

Poundstock — Bob Booker (Lib Dem) 623; Barry Jordan (Ind) 82; Rupert Powell (UKIP) 184; Paul Sousek (Meb Ker) 88; Phil Tucker (Cons) 668 ELECTED. Turnout 53 per cent of 3,087 electorate.

St Cleer — Sharon Marie Hancock (Cons) 585; David Garth Lucas (UKIP) 350; Derris Rosslyn Watson (Lib Dem) 774 ELECTED. Turnout 47 per cent of 3,643 electorate.

St Endellion — William Josiah Dawe (Ind) 346; Brian Allan Gisbourne (Cons) 539 ELECTED; Angus Lamond (Ind) 157; Harvey Lander (Lib Dem) 329. Turnout 48 per cent of 2,850 electorate.

St Teath — John Lugg (Ind) 957 ELECTED; Henry James Kendall (Cons) 512. Turnout 47 per cent of 3,148 electorate.

Stoke Climsland — Neil Burden (Ind) 906 ELECTED; Vivian Thomas Chavasse Hall (Cons) 341; Phil Hutty (Lib Dem) 360. Turnout 55 per cent of 2,944 electorate.

Tintagel — Anthony Charles Brewer (Ind) 449; Glenton Bruce Brown (Lib Dem) 716 ELECTED; Paul Michael Heath (Cons) 435. Turnout 47 per cent of 3,399 electorate.