THE Conservative Party has retained overall control of Hampshire County Council. Last week's results revealed an overall majority for the Conservatives of 14. They gained 46 seats with the Liberal Democrats taking 28 and the Labour Party four. In East Hampshire it was a closely-fought contest with the Conservatives taking four of the seven seats. Combined with the parliamentary election this year's poll attracted a strong turnout of 66.92 per cent with 53,139 people voting out of a total electorate of 79,801. Alton returned Lib Dem Tony Ludlow as representative for the Town seat while newcomer Mark Kemp-Gee (Conservative) took over the reins from Tory Sir James Scott for Alton Rural. Tony Ludlow said he was delighted to have been returned with an increased majority of 1,462 after polling more than 50 per cent of the vote. "It takes a while to learn how to do the job and I am glad of the opportunity to serve another four years," said Dr Ludlow. He was also happy about the Liberal Democrats overall achievement in the county council elections which has seen an increased number of seats. Dr Ludlow expressed thanks also to the "huge team of volunteers" who had campaigned on his behalf and most importantly to the many people who voted for him. Speaking of the priorities for the coming four years in office, Dr Ludlow said he would be looking to get more money for Alton's Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery, to progress the residents' parking scheme and to investigate the problems which arise from the current school admissions policy which currently gives priority to those living in the catchment area. Dr Ludlow believes that the presence of a sibling at the school should be an overruling factor - at present if a family moves away from the catchment area it appears that the only way to ensure that siblings attend the same school is for the school-aged child (children) to change school, thereby disrupting their education. Newly-elected councillor for Alton Rural, Mark Kemp-Gee told The Herald: "It was an energetic and stimulating campaign that the Conservatives fought. Some 9,700 electors voted out of a possible 13,000 - and more than 5,000 voted Conservative. "My distinct thanks go to those who voted for me, and to those dedicated and hard-working supporters without whom it would not have been possible to electioneer fully throughout the 32 villages and 140 square miles that make up the Alton Rural division.  "Contesting this election led, I believe, to a real transfer of concerns and issues between electors and elected. Each village has its priorities - not all of them  necessarily shared with others - and it will be my job to tackle those issues on their behalf, acting in conjunction of course with East Hampshire district councillors where appropriate. "The electors of Alton Rural have expressed their determination that the environment, the road system and their overall quality of life are fundamental to their core values, and it may be that tough decisions contesting central government diktat may be required. "I am pleased that the Conservatives have been selected to have their mandate to run the Hampshire County Council renewed with an overall majority of 14 seats.  I shall aim to play my part in maintaining Hampshire's record as one of the best performing county councils in England, with a real value-for-money, caring and efficient approach." Alton Town: Tony Ludlow (Liberal Democrat) 4,294, Caroline Dibden (Conservative) 2,832, Barbara Burfoot (Labour) 1,337. Turnout 64.28%. Alton Rural: Mark Kemp-Gee (Conservative) 5,064, Linda Harmer-Jones (Liberal Democrat) 3,671, Janice Treacher (Labour) 972. Turnout 74.43 l Liberal Democrat John Smith is the new district councillor for Alton's Westbrooke ward. A current town councillor, Mr Smith swept the board, polling 1,002 votes against Labour opponent Barbara Burfoot's 285. Speaking after the event, Mr Smith expressed thanks to all those who had helped in the campaign and in particular his predecessor, Bob Booker, who stood down recently in order to pursue an elevated legal career as a Deputy District Judge. Having done a sterling job, Mr Smith assured Bob Booker that he had left his seat in "sound hands". While he sees the next two years as something of a learning exercise, John Smith is looking forward to the challenge and intends to play his part, in particular on the north planning and the north west area community committees. He told The Herald: "I intend to represent the people of Alton to the best of my ability and try to ensure that Alton continues as a growing vigourous community." While believing that Alton has to take some development in order to thrive, he is keen to ensure that the infrastructure can cope with change and that any new building fits in with existing development. "I am not against development but I am against inappropriate development, and especially without the infrastructure to back it up," Mr Smith said.