The Liberal Democrats have retained control in the Three Rivers District council but lost one seat to The Green Party in a close result.

Despite the upset, the Lib Dems have vowed to continue making the area a greener place for residents to live.

Speaking to the Watford Observer, Penn and Mill End Councillor and Lib Dem council leader Sarah Nelmes said: “I am very pleased that we have again been chosen by residents in the Three Rivers District to continue to run the council.

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“We will continue to work to make it a greener fairer and great place to live.”

Cllr Nelms outlined the next steps for her party.

She said: “We intend to look after our land, like rewilding. We are also about to start consulting on our Nature Recovery Strategy in the very near future.

“We’ll also continue working on a local plan to get the right type of houses in the right places.”

The biggest shock of the day was the Lib Dems losing its Dickinsons ward seat to the Green Party with only 71 votes between them.

The Greens had 1,128 votes, while the Lib Dems had 1,057 votes.

Cllr Nelms said: “I’m very disappointed because Margaret Hofman [Lib Dem candidate for Dickinsons] worked hard for the people of Croxley Green. She campaigned passionately on matters for Croxley Green.”

Newly elected councillor Chris Mitchell for the Dickinson ward is now the first Green Party candidate to be elected on the council.

He said: “I am honoured to be elected and I want to thank everyone who has elected me.”

Cllr Mitchell told Watford Observer people’s biggest priority in Croxley Green is protecting the green belt.

He said: “The ideal scenario is no building on the green belt, but that might not be 100% realistic.

“But that is where I will start and take it from there.”

Labour kept hold of its South Oxhey seat and the Conservatives kept hold of their four seats at this year’s local election.

The Three Rivers District Council is now made up of 23 Lib Dem, 12 Conservative, three Labour seats and one Green Party seat.

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