THE Buckland Monachorum seat on West Devon Borough Council was retained by the Conservatives at last Thursday's by-election.
Patricia Campbell, of Sampford Spiney, won the seat with 1,075 votes, beating the Liberal Democrat candidate Peter Aizlewood, who polled 1,006 votes.
Mrs Campbell admitted she was something of a novice as far as the council was concerned but was looking forward to her new role.
'I care very much about the area and whatever I can do to support the people who live here, I will do,' she said.
One issue close to her heart is the lack of affordable housing in the borough, particularly for young people — she is also concerned about traffic in Yelverton's Meavy Lane.
Mrs Campbell's win leaves the borough council balance of power unchanged, with 12 Independents, ten Conservatives and eight Liberal Democrats.
Mrs Campbell takes the seat left vacant after the resignation of Conservative Gordon Mills this spring.