2022 Colchester Borough Council election
2022 UK local government election
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The 2022 Colchester Borough Council election took place on 5 May 2022.[1][2] Eighteen members of the council (one-third of the whole) were elected: one from 16 of the 17 wards, and two councillors from New Town & Christ Church ward, following the death of incumbent councillor Nick Cope (Liberal Democrats),[3] elected in 2019 and due to serve until 2023.
1.7%)2.0%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 May 2022
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18 out of 51 seats to Colchester Borough Council 26 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Registered | 137,939 (1.7%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 32.1% (2.0%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Winner of each seat at the 2022 Colchester Borough Council election. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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At the election, the Conservative–Independent coalition lost control of the council, with the Conservatives losing seats to the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. Paul Dundas, the leader of the council, lost his seat in Stanway to challenger Tracy Arnold.
Labour gained one seat from the Liberal Democrats and won the vacated Independent seat in Highwoods, giving them their largest share of representation on the council since the 1990s.
Background
Following the results of the previous election, the ruling "Progressive Alliance" coalition (comprising the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Independents) lost control of the council after the Independents decided to form an administration with the Conservatives, giving them a majority of one seat over the opposition parties.
Summary
Election results
| 2022 Colchester Borough Council election | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | This election | Full council | This election | ||||||||
| Candidates | Seats | Net | Seats % | Other | Total | Total % | Votes | Votes % | +/− | ||
| Conservative | 18 | 6 | 4 |
33.3 | 13 | 19 | 37.3 | 16,308 | 34.5 | –10.3 | |
| Liberal Democrats | 18 | 5 |  2 |
27.8 | 9 | 14 | 27.5 | 13,731 | 29.1 | +9.4 | |
| Labour | 18 | 6 | 2 |
33.3 | 7 | 13 | 25.5 | 13,311 | 28.2 | +5.7 | |
| Green | 12 | 1 | 1 |
5.6 | 2 | 3 | 5.9 | 3,909 | 8.3 | –2.4 | |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 1 |
0.0 | 2 | 2 | 3.9 | N/A[c] | N/A | –1.7 | |
Incumbents
| Ward | Incumbent councillor | Party | Re-standing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berechurch | Martyn Warnes | Labour Co-op | Yes | |
| Castle | Simon Crow | Conservative | Yes | |
| Greenstead | Tina Bourne | Labour | No | |
| Highwoods | Phil Oxford | Independent | No | |
| Lexden & Braiswick | Martin Leatherdale | Conservative | Yes | |
| Marks Tey & Layer | Jackie Maclean | Conservative | Yes | |
| Mersea & Pyefleet | Robert Davidson | Conservative | Yes | |
| Mile End | David King | Liberal Democrats | Yes | |
| New Town & Christ Church | Lorcan Whitehead | Labour | No | |
| Old Heath & The Hythe | Lee Scordis | Labour | Yes | |
| Prettygate | Roger Buston | Conservative | Yes | |
| Rural North | Peter Chillingworth | Conservative | No | |
| Shrub End | Pauline Hazell | Conservative | No | |
| St. Anne's & St. John's | Chris Hayter | Conservative | No | |
| Stanway | Paul Dundas | Conservative | Yes | |
| Tiptree | Derek Loveland | Conservative | No | |
| Wivenhoe | Andrea Luxford-Vaughn | Liberal Democrats | Yes | |
Aftermath
On 17 May 2022, it was announced that a three-party administration between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Green Party would be formed to run the council throughout the 2022–2023 term. This gave the new administration a majority of 12 seats over the now-opposition Conservatives.[4]
David King (Liberal Democrats, Mile End) was elected Leader of the council, with Adam Fox (Labour Co-op, Old Heath & The Hythe) elected as the Deputy Leader.
Cabinet composition
Following coalition negotiations, a cabinet was formed that consisted of four Liberal Democrats, three Labour, and one Green Party member.[5]
| Portfolio | Councillor | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy | David King | Liberal Democrats | |
| Local Economy & Transformation | Adam Fox | Labour Co-op | |
| Culture & Heritage | Pam Cox | Labour | |
| Neighbourhood Services & Waste | Martin Goss | Liberal Democrats | |
| Environment & Sustainability | Steph Nissen | Green | |
| Resources | Mark Cory | Liberal Democrats | |
| Planning & Infrastructure | Andrea Luxford-Vaughn | Liberal Democrats | |
| Housing & Communities | Julie Young | Labour Co-op | |
Ward results
The Statement of Persons Nominated was released on 5 April 2022, listing the candidates standing in each ward.[6] The results of the borough council election were announced on 6 May 2022.[1]
Incumbents are listed with an asterisk *
Berechurch
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Co-op | Martyn Warnes* | 1,418 | 69.3 | +0.9 | |
| Conservative | Chris Piggott | 402 | 19.7 | −0.3 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Michaela Grossmann-Hislop | 127 | 6.2 | −2.0 | |
| Green | John Clifton | 98 | 4.8 | +1.5 | |
| Majority | 1,016 | 49.6 | +1.2 | ||
| Turnout | 2,045 | 27.8 | −3.7 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,364 | ||||
| Labour Co-op hold | Swing | 0.6 |
|||
Castle
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Richard Kirkby-Taylor | 1,420 | 50.2 | +12.4 | |
| Conservative | Simon Crow* | 794 | 28.1 | −4.4 | |
| Labour | Alan Short | 360 | 12.7 | −6.4 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Martin Gillingham | 254 | 9.0 | −1.6 | |
| Majority | 626 | 22.1 | +16.8 | ||
| Turnout | 2,828 | 35.5 | −1.6 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,977 | ||||
| Green gain from Conservative | Swing | 8.4 |
|||
Greenstead
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Molly Bloomfield | 1,194 | 59.1 | +7.1 | |
| Conservative | Petra Crees | 512 | 25.3 | −3.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Shaun Boughton | 184 | 9.1 | −1.4 | |
| Green | Lisa Cross | 132 | 6.5 | +0.1 | |
| Majority | 682 | 33.8 | +10.2 | ||
| Turnout | 2,022 | 18.2 | −1.1 | ||
| Registered electors | 11,134 | ||||
| Labour hold | Swing | 5.1 |
|||
No Reform UK (2.7%) candidate as previous.
Highwoods
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Jocelyn Law | 833 | 40.8 | +22.8 | |
| Conservative | Stephen Rowe | 773 | 37.9 | +8.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Laura Cassidy | 435 | 21.3 | +12.9 | |
| Majority | 60 | 2.9 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 2,041 | 28.5 | −1.8 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,171 | ||||
| Labour gain from Independent | Swing | 7.4 |
|||
No Independent (35.0%), Green (6.4%) or Reform UK (2.9%) candidates as previous.
Lexden & Braiswick
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Martin Leatherdale* | 1,416 | 51.8 | −4.4 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Sandra Culham | 607 | 22.2 | +5.1 | |
| Labour | Stephen Novy | 406 | 14.9 | +3.5 | |
| Green | Roger Bamforth | 302 | 11.1 | −4.2 | |
| Majority | 809 | 29.6 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 2,731 | 37.3 | −6.0 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,321 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | 4.8 |
|||
Marks Tey & Layer
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Jackie Maclean* | 1,393 | 56.6 | −10.8 | |
| Labour | Barry Gilheany | 456 | 18.5 | +6.9 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Mark Hull | 381 | 15.5 | +7.5 | |
| Green | Amy Sheridan | 229 | 9.3 | +1.0 | |
| Majority | 937 | 38.1 | −17.7 | ||
| Turnout | 2,459 | 30.4 | −3.6 | ||
| Registered electors | 8,089 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | 8.9 |
|||
No Independent (4.7%) candidate as previous.
Mersea & Pyefleet
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Robert Davidson* | 1,742 | 65.0 | −4.8 | |
| Labour | Natalie Eldred | 521 | 19.5 | +10.6 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Stevens | 415 | 15.5 | +10.4 | |
| Majority | 1,221 | 45.5 | −8.2 | ||
| Turnout | 2,678 | 34.0 | −3.7 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,888 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | 7.7 |
|||
No Green (16.1%) candidate as previous.
Mile End
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democrats | David King* | 1,885 | 66.3 | +1.0 | |
| Conservative | David Linghorn-Baker | 447 | 15.7 | −3.6 | |
| Labour Co-op | Pauline Bacon | 350 | 12.3 | +1.5 | |
| Green | Amanda Kirke | 163 | 5.7 | +1.1 | |
| Majority | 1,438 | 50.6 | +4.6 | ||
| Turnout | 2,845 | 30.4 | −2.1 | ||
| Registered electors | 9,352 | ||||
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 2.3 |
|||
New Town & Christ Church
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Kayleigh Rippingale | 1,451 | 43.7 | +0.3 | |
| Labour | Sam McLean | 1,292 | 38.9 | –4.5 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Catherine Spindler | 1,089 | 32.8 | +10.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Robin James | 920 | 27.7 | +5.0 | |
| Conservative | Annesley Hardy | 580 | 17.4 | –7.9 | |
| Conservative | Carla Hales | 524 | 15.8 | –9.5 | |
| Green | Clare Burgess | 473 | 14.2 | +5.6 | |
| Turnout | 3,324 | 34.4 | –1.1 | ||
| Registered electors | 9,668 | ||||
| Labour hold | |||||
| Labour gain from Liberal Democrats | |||||
Old Heath & The Hythe
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Lee Scordis* | 1,585 | 64.2 | +10.9 | |
| Conservative | Richard Martin | 502 | 20.3 | −6.3 | |
| Green | Andrew Canessa | 204 | 8.3 | −2.6 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Schraml | 176 | 7.1 | −2.0 | |
| Majority | 1,083 | 43.9 | +17.2 | ||
| Turnout | 2,467 | 28.8 | −1.0 | ||
| Registered electors | 8,566 | ||||
| Labour hold | Swing | 8.6 |
|||
Prettygate
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Roger Buston* | 1,406 | 46.4 | −13.9 | |
| Liberal Democrats | John Loxley | 1,050 | 34.6 | +19.2 | |
| Labour | Simon Collis | 406 | 13.4 | −1.1 | |
| Green | Natalie Edgoose | 171 | 5.6 | −4.2 | |
| Majority | 356 | 11.8 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 3,033 | 39.0 | −1.7 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,773 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | 16.7 |
|||
Rural North
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | William Sunnucks | 1,731 | 57.5 | −7.0 | |
| Liberal Democrats | William Brown | 504 | 16.7 | +6.2 | |
| Green | Sue Bailey | 391 | 13.0 | +1.1 | |
| Labour | Neil Jones | 386 | 12.8 | +2.1 | |
| Majority | 1,227 | 40.8 | −11.8 | ||
| Turnout | 3,012 | 35.9 | −4.3 | ||
| Registered electors | 8,383 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | 6.6 |
|||
No Reform UK (2.5%) candidate as previous.
Shrub End
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democrats | Mick Spindler | 826 | 39.2 | +2.2 | |
| Conservative | Angela Linghorn-Baker | 660 | 31.3 | −4.0 | |
| Labour | Luke Hayes | 623 | 29.5 | +10.7 | |
| Majority | 166 | 7.9 | +6.2 | ||
| Turnout | 2,109 | 26.6 | −0.5 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,579 | ||||
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 3.1 |
|||
No Green (6.1%) or Reform UK (2.8%) candidates as previous.
St. Anne's & St. John's
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democrats | Paul Smith | 1,478 | 51.8 | +9.8 | |
| Conservative | Thomas Rowe | 986 | 34.5 | −6.6 | |
| Labour | Abigail Chambers | 390 | 13.7 | +3.5 | |
| Majority | 492 | 17.3 | +16.4 | ||
| Turnout | 2,854 | 35.0 | −0.8 | ||
| Registered electors | 8,157 | ||||
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 8.2 |
|||
No Green (6.8%) candidate as previous.
Stanway
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democrats | Tracy Arnold | 1,302 | 53.8 | +14.3 | |
| Conservative | Paul Dundas* | 907 | 37.5 | −8.9 | |
| Labour | Jim Pey | 211 | 8.7 | −1.1 | |
| Majority | 395 | 16.3 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 2,420 | 35.0 | −0.9 | ||
| Registered electors | 6,922 | ||||
| Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 11.6 |
|||
No Green (4.4%) candidate as previous.
Tiptree
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Rhys Smithson | 1,351 | 61.6 | −10.4 | |
| Labour | Ian Yates | 395 | 18.0 | +5.9 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Kieron Franks | 284 | 13.0 | +5.8 | |
| Green | John McArthur | 163 | 7.4 | −1.3 | |
| Majority | 956 | 43.6 | −16.3 | ||
| Turnout | 2,193 | 30.1 | −2.4 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,288 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | 8.2 |
|||
Wivenhoe
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democrats | Andrea Luxford-Vaughan* | 1,814 | 56.8 | +18.4 | |
| Labour Co-op | Cyril Liddy | 1,034 | 32.4 | +0.9 | |
| Conservative | Mollie Ireland | 182 | 5.7 | −9.6 | |
| Green | Christopher Blomeley | 163 | 5.1 | −9.2 | |
| Majority | 780 | 24.4 | +17.5 | ||
| Turnout | 3,193 | 43.7 | +1.8 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,307 | ||||
| Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 8.8 |
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Post-election changes
- On 30 May 2022, Martin Leatherdale (Lexden & Braiswick) left the Conservative group to sit as an independent. He resigned as a councillor several days later, triggering a by-election.[7][8]
- On 28 September 2022, Mark Goacher (Castle) left the Green group to sit as an independent.[9]
- On 20 October 2022, Independent councillors Beverley Oxford and Gerard Oxford (both Highwoods) resigned, triggering a double by-election.[10]
- On 24 November 2022, Colchester was granted city status, and Colchester Borough Council became Colchester City Council.[11]
- On 15 December 2022, Green group leader Steph Nissen (Castle) left the Green Party and joined Labour. On the same day, Mark Goacher rejoined the Green group and subsequently became its leader.[12]
- On 2 March 2023, Labour group leader Adam Fox (Old Heath & The Hythe) announced that he would stand down as a councillor at the May 2023 election.[13]
- On 8 March 2023, Chris Pearson (Berechurch) was elected Labour group leader.[14]
By-elections
Lexden & Braiswick
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Martin Leatherdale, who had left the Conservative group to sit as an independent days earlier; Leatherdale, who manages Colchester's Lion Walk Shopping Centre, said he wished to concentrate on town-centre development projects that were "not always aligned with the political dynamics of a large group of people."[8]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Sara Naylor | 1,372 | 63.7 | +11.8 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Kieron Franks | 621 | 28.8 | +6.6 | |
| Labour | Catherine Bickersteth | 161 | 7.5 | −7.4 | |
| Majority | 751 | 34.9 | +5.3 | ||
| Turnout | 2,158 | 29.3 | −8.0 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,368 | ||||
| Conservative gain from Independent | Swing | 2.6 |
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The Green Party, which received 11.1% in the ward in May 2022, did not contest the by-election.
Highwoods
The double by-election was triggered by the resignation of independent councillor Gerard Oxford, a wheelchair user and former Mayor of Colchester, over the council's continued failure to relocate meetings to accessible venues; his wife and fellow Highwoods councillor Beverley Oxford resigned in solidarity, ending a combined 43 years of service between them.[10]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Catherine Bickersteth | 653 | 42.3 | +1.5 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Alison Jay | 618 | 40.1 | +18.8 | |
| Labour | Pauline Bacon | 501 | 32.5 | −8.3 | |
| Conservative | Richard Martin | 430 | 27.9 | −10.0 | |
| Conservative | David Linghorn-Baker | 413 | 26.8 | −11.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Chantelle-Louise Whyborn | 366 | 23.7 | +2.4 | |
| Turnout | 1,543 | 21.4 | −7.1 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,196 | ||||
| Labour gain from Independent | |||||
| Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | |||||