2024 Fareham Borough Council election

Since its creation in 1974, only the Conservatives have ever formed majorities on the council. The party has held majorities on the council for its entire history, except between 1986 and 1987, and between 1994 and 1999.^[1] The Liberal Democrats briefly overtook the Conservatives as the largest party in this second period of no overall control, but never formed a majority.

In the previous election in 2022, the Conservatives gained 2 seats with 45.7% of the vote, the Liberal Democrats maintained their 5 seats with 25.7%, and independents won 1 with 3.9%. The leader of the council prior to the election was Conservative councillor Seán Woodward, who had held the post since 1999. He did not stand for re-election in 2024. After the election, the Conservatives chose Simon Martin to be their new group leader; he was formally appointed as the new leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 16 May 2024.^[2]

Fareham usually elects its councillors in halves, on a 4-year cycle. However, following boundary changes, all councillors will be elected to the new wards.^[3] The change increases the number of councillors by 1.