Conservative Frank Smith has been elected to represent the Almond and Earn ward at Perth and Kinross Council.
The socially distanced count took place at Bells Sports Centre in Perth on Friday, March 26.
There was a 45.2 per cent turnout at the ward nine by-election with a resounding victory for the Conservative candidate.
Frank Smith won 1897 of the 3573 votes cast.
A total of 3573 votes were cast out of an eligible electorate of 7903.
The newly elected councillor told the PA: “I am absolutely delighted.
“I could not have done it without the team behind me and the team was outstanding.”
One of the first issues Cllr Smith would like to tackle is fly-tipping.
More than half of Tayside adults have received first COVID vaccine jabs
He said: “I am concerned about mess and just want to try and get everyone together and be proud of the place.”
Conservative council leader Murray Lyle said: “I am delighted. We ran a positive campaign.”
Cllr Lyle believes the Conservative administration’s recent 2021/22 budget announcements had an effect.
He said: “We put emphasis on economic recovery and the roads and these are the things that resonated with voters.”
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Liz Smith lives locally and gave Frank Smith her vote.
She said: “I am absolutely delighted. He’s a real champion of local issues. I think that has proved to be a real positive message for the voters of Almond and Earn.”
The current political make-up of Perth and Kinross Council is now: 18 Conservatives, 13 in the SNP group, five Liberal Democrats and four in the independent/Labour group.
