AN ELECTION in Carterton ended in a close result - with the town’s mayor voting herself back into office.

Councillor Lynn Little will continue the role for the fifth year running following a tight contest with deputy Nick Leverton on Tuesday.

Initially, the vote was tied with both candidates having the support of seven members each, but Mrs Little, as chairwoman, was given the casting vote.

Some sources questioned the legality of Mrs Little effectively installing herself in the role, but these claims were rejected by council staff.

Clerk Ron Spurs said he looked at the possibility of a tie very carefully to ensure the legal process was followed correctly.

He cited a section of the Local Government Act (1972), which reads: “Where there is a tie in the election of a chairman, the person presiding is required by law to give his own casting vote one way or the other.”

Mrs Little, who was not available for comment, said this will be her final year as mayor of Carterton.

Mr Leverton, who after falling short in the mayoral vote was unanimously voted to return to his position as deputy, said he would have ‘loved to have been mayor’.

However, he added: “We would like to think of ourselves as 16 engaged councillors who always go with what we’ve decided.

"The system is that in the instance of a tie the chairman gets the casting vote.”

Supporter of Mrs Little, Phil Scott, commended Mrs Little for her work as mayor, noting projects like the town's master plan - a vision for future development in the town.

He said: "Lynn has done a fantastic job. She's got loads of big things on the go like the town's master plan, which she has put a colossal amount of work into.

"She's 100 per cent for Carterton and is very passionate about the town."