GREEN Party member Julian Roskams is the new Malvern Hills District Council member for West Malvern.

Mr Roskams beat candidates from the Conservatives, Labour, UKIP and one independent to take the seat.

He will now represent West Malvern on the district council alongside his Green Party colleague, Councillor John Raine.

Mr Roskams said he was delighted to be elected to the council.

He said: “The most important issue that I hope to be involved with is the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

“Although the plan does not designate any development sites on the West Malvern ward itself, it will have an impact on all of us in Malvern, wherever we live in the town,” he said. Mr Roskams will be joining the Lib Dem/Green/independent group on the council.

He said: “That’s something we have been criticised for, entering a coalition, if you like, with the Lib Dems.

“But as far as we are concerned we haven’t compromised our principles by doing so.

“Joining with the Lib Dems means Green Party councillors have the chance to serve on council committees and have a voice. Across Malvern, there’s quite a significant Green voice and it deserves to be heard.”

Mr Roskams, aged 49, runs a publishing company, Etica Press, and is also a member of Malvern Town Council.

The results in full were: Julian Roskams (Green) 490; Jenny Kelly (Conservative) 329; Sarah Rouse (independent) 130; Chris Burrows (Labour) 91; Michael Savage (UKIP) 68. The turnout was 37.5 per cent.

The election was triggered by the resignation of Luna Deller, another Green member, who was elected to the council in May 2011.

She stepped down because she was moving to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to take up a job.

The make-up of the council is Conservative, 23, the Lib Dem/Green/independent group, 14, and Tim Perry, independent.