The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has announced the results of the 2011 RCVS and VN Council elections.

Elected to the RCVS Council are:

  • Professor Sheila Crispin (2281 votes)
  • Professor Sandy Trees (2,247 votes)
  • Bob Moore (1,890 votes)
  • Mark Elliott (1,821 votes)
  • Lynne Hill (1,711 votes)
  • Beverley Cottrell (1,604 votes)

Not elected are:

  • Jonathan Bray (1,494 votes)
  • David Mason (1,358 votes)
  • Adi Nell (1,163 votes)
  • Tom Lonsdale (363 votes)

For the first time in eight years, all six successful RCVS Council candidates have served on Council before, although one - Sandy Trees - is currently an appointed, rather than an elected, member.

For VN Council, one existing member has been returned and two new members have been elected:

  • Elizabeth Branscombe (430 votes)
  • Elizabeth Cox (335 votes)
  • Tanya Caley (332 votes)

Not elected to VN Council was:

  • Rachel Smith (328 votes)

Following rises in previous turnouts, voting figures have dropped markedly this year in both RCVS and VN Councils elections, to 15.9% (3,887 voters) and 7.6% (723 voters) respectively. The previous turnouts were 18.8% (in 2010) and 11.2% (in 2009).

RCVS Registrar Jane Hern said: "It's certainly disappointing that the turnout has dropped so much this year. It's unclear whether this is due to lack of time, lack of awareness, or lack of interest, but perhaps anyone who didn't vote could let us know why, so we can see what we could do to increase participation.

"Nevertheless, my congratulations to all successful candidates, who I look forward to formally welcoming, or welcoming back, onto the Councils at RCVS Day in July, and my commiserations to those who were unsuccessful this time and who I hope won't be discouraged from standing again next year."

This year's chosen charity - the Veterinary Benevolent Fund - will receive a cheque for £922 arising from the College's pledge to donate 20p for each veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse who cast a vote.

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