Labour’s Chris Jones held second place with 9,970 votes (up from 7,287 recorded by the party in 2010) and UKIP’s Stuart Agnew achieved 8,881, up from his 2,382 in 2010.
 
The Liberal Democrats’ Steve Riley recorded 5,178 votes (down from 17,046 achieved by the party in 2010), while the Greens’ Andrew Boswell polled 2,252. The turnout was 72.4%.
 
The 66-year-old Mr Simpson, who lives in Reepham, said his priorities for Broadland for the next five years are dualling the A47 and ensuring easier access to GPs, as well as improvements in education.
 
Broadland District Council
 
Representing the Conservative Party, Graham Everett of Drayton was successful for the Reepham Ward of Broadland District Council with 693 votes, ahead of Liberal Democrat Stuart Beadle (609) and UKIP’s Tina Layton (225). The turnout was 79.4%.
 
In the Eynesford Ward, Wood Dalling postmaster and Norfolk County Councillor James Joyce (653 votes) lost his Liberal Democrat seat to the Conservatives’ Greg Peck (706), with UKIP’s Jane Durrant third (353).
 
The Conservative Party has strengthened its control of Broadland District Council after gaining 12 seats in last month’s election and now has 43 of the 47 seats. The Liberal Democrats have the remaining four, down five seats from 2010.
 
Wood Dalling Parish Council
 
In the contested election for Wood Dalling Parish Council, the following seven candidates were elected (in order of votes received): Alexandra Clark-Rudd, Kerry Oldfield, Jon Rodwell, Peter Child, Helen Dixon, Rory Harrold and John Rawlinson.