2022 Colchester Borough Council election

2022 Colchester Borough Council election
5 May 2022 (2022-05-05)
18 out of 51 seats to Colchester Borough Council
26 seats needed for a majority
Turnout32.1% (Decrease1.8%)
  First party Second party Third party
  Blank Blank Blank
Leader Paul Dundas Martin Goss Adam Fox
Party Conservative Liberal Democrats Labour Co-op
Leader's seat Stanway (defeated) Mile End Old Heath &
The Hythe
Last election 23 seats, 44.8% 12 seats, 19.7% 11 seats, 22.5%
Seats before 23 11 11
Seats won 6 5 6
Seats after 19 14 13
Seat change Decrease 4 Increase 2 Increase 2
Popular vote 16,308 13,731 13,311
Percentage 34.5% 29.1% 28.2%
Swing Decrease 10.3% Increase 9.4% Increase 5.7%
  Fourth party Fifth party
  Blank Blank
Leader Steph Nissen Beverley Oxford
Party Green Independent
Leader's seat Castle Highwoods
Last election 2 seats, 10.7% 3 seats, 1.7%
Seats before 2 3
Seats won 1 0
Seats after 3 2
Seat change Increase 1 Decrease 1
Popular vote 3,909 0
Percentage 8.3% 0.0%
Swing Decrease 2.4% Decrease1.7%
Results map of the Borough Council election
Leader of the Council before election

Paul Dundas
Conservative

 Leader of the Council after election

David King
Liberal Democrats

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 Democrat),[3] elected in 2019 and due to serve until 2023.

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.

Visual representation of the Council

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

Candidates by party

Conservative Party (18/18)










Liberal Democrats (18/18)










Labour Party (18/18)










Green Party (12/18)










Election results

2022 Colchester Borough Council election
Party This election Full council This election
Candidates Seats Net Seats % Other Total Total % Votes Votes % +/−
  Conservative {{{candidates}}} 6 Decrease 4 33.3 13 19 37.3 16,308 34.5 -10.3
  Liberal Democrats {{{candidates}}} 5 Increase 2 27.8 9 14 27.5 13,731 29.1 +9.4
  Labour {{{candidates}}} 6 Increase 2 33.3 7 13 25.5 13,311 28.2 +5.7
  Green {{{candidates}}} 1 Increase 1 5.6 2 3 5.9 3,909 8.3 -2.4
  Independent {{{candidates}}} 0 Decrease 1 0.0 2 2 3.9 N/A 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 Co-op 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

Berechurch ward
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 Increase0.6

Castle

Castle ward
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 Increase8.4

Greenstead

Greenstead ward
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 Increase5.1

No Reform UK (2.7%) candidate as previous.

Highwoods

Highwoods ward
Highwoods
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Co-op 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 Co-op gain from Independent Swing Increase7.4

No Independent (35.0%), Green (6.4%) or Reform UK (2.9%) candidates as previous.

Lexden & Braiswick

Lexden & Braiswick ward
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 Decrease4.8

Marks Tey & Layer

Marks Tey & Layer ward
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 Decrease8.9

No Independent (4.7%) candidate as previous.

Mersea & Pyefleet

Mersea & Pyefleet ward
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 Decrease7.7

No Green (16.1%) candidate as previous.

Mile End

Mile End ward
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 Increase2.3

New Town & Christ Church

New Town & Christ Church ward
New Town & Christ Church (2 seats due to by-election)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Kayleigh Rippingale 1,451 43.7 +0.3
Labour Co-op 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 Co-op gain from Liberal Democrats

Old Heath & The Hythe

Old Heath & The Hythe ward
Old Heath & The Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Co-op 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 Co-op hold Swing Increase8.6

Prettygate

Prettygate ward
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 Decrease16.7

Rural North

Rural North ward
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 Decrease6.6

No Reform UK (2.5%) candidate as previous.

Shrub End

Shrub End ward
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 Increase3.1

No Green (6.1%) or Reform UK (2.8%) candidates as previous.

St. Anne's & St. John's

St. Anne's & St. John's ward
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 Increase8.2

No Green (6.8%) candidate as previous.

Stanway

Stanway ward
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 Increase11.6

No Green (4.4%) candidate as previous.

Tiptree

Tiptree ward
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 Decrease8.2

Wivenhoe

Wivenhoe ward
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 Increase8.8

Changes 2022–2023

  • 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

Lexden & Braiswick by-election, 28 July 2022[15]
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 hold Swing Increase2.6

The by-election followed the resignation of Conservative councillor Martin Leatherdale.[8]

The Green Party, which received 11.1% in the ward in May 2022, did not contest the by-election.

Highwoods

Highwoods by-election, 8 December 2022[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Catherine Bickersteth 653 42.3 +1.5
Liberal Democrats Alison Jay 618 40.1 +18.8
Labour Co-op 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

The by-election followed the resignations of Independent councillors Beverley Oxford and Gerard Oxford.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Colchester Borough election results – 06 May". Colchester City Council. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Colchester council elections 2022: Full list of candidates". Daniel Rees. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Councillor Nick Cope". Colchester Borough Council. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Colchester Council to be run by three party coalition". Daniel Rees. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  5. ↑ "THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL AND THE CABINET". Colchester City Council. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Statement of Persons Nominated" (PDF). Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  7. ↑ Yordanova, Viktoria (31 May 2022). "Colchester councillor Martin Leatherdale becomes Independent". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  8. 1 2 Dalby, Tom (1 June 2022). "Colchester councillor confirms resignation just weeks after election". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Adams, Lewis. "Colchester Green Mark Goacher steps down from local party". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  10. 1 2 Adams, Lewis. "Gerard and Beverley Oxford resign from Colchester Council". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Colchester, Britain's oldest town, becomes its newest city". ITV News. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  12. ↑ Adams, Lewis. "Colchester Green Party leader defects and councillor returns". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Deady, Elliot (2 March 2023). "Deputy leader of Colchester Council Adam Fox to leave role". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  14. ↑ King, George (8 March 2023). "Colchester City Labour Group unveils new leader". Colchester Gazette. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Lexden and Braiswick Ward election – 28 July". Colchester City Council. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Highwoods Ward By-Election 08 December". Colchester City Council. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
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