2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election

2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election
7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)
20 out of 40 seats to Cheltenham Borough Council
21 seats needed for a majority
Registered92,128
Turnout40,520
44.0%
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Rowena Hay Ashleigh Davies None
Party Liberal Democrats Green Reform
Last election 36 seats, 51.9% 3 seats, 15.7% Did not contest
Seats before 36[1] 3 0
Seats won 17 2 1
Seats after 35 3 1
Seat change Decrease 1 Steady Increase 1
Popular vote 17,093 7,752 7,820
Percentage 42.3% 19.2% 19.4%
Swing Decrease 9.6% Increase 3.5% Increase 19.4%
Results by ward
Leader before election

Rowena Hay
Liberal Democrats

 Leader after election

Rowena Hay
Liberal Democrats

The 2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom held on the same day, to elect 20 of 40 members of Cheltenham Borough Council in Gloucestershire, England.[2]

The Liberal Democrats retained their majority on the council at this election.[3]

Summary

Background

In 2024, the Liberal Democrats retained majority control of the council.[4][5] In January 2026, the council asked for the election to be postponed pending local government reorganisation.[6] This was against the wishes of the national Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey.[7][8] However it was rescheduled on 16 February 2026.

Retiring councillors
Ward Departing Councillor Party
Charlton Kings Hannah Healy Liberal Democrats
Lansdown Ben Orme Liberal Democrats
Park Dilys Barrell Liberal Democrats
Pittville Juan Clamp Liberal Democrats
St Peter's David Willingham Liberal Democrats
Swindon Village Frank Allen Liberal Democrats

Election result

The Liberal Democrats retained control of Cheltenham Borough Council, winning 17 of the 20 seats contested. The Green Party won two seats, while Reform UK won one seat. The election had a turnout of 44%.[9][10]

2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election
Party This election Full council This election
Candidates Seats Net Seats % Other Total Total % Votes Votes % +/−
  Liberal Democrats {{{candidates}}} 17 Decrease 1 85.0 18 35 87.5 17,093 42.3 –9.6
  Green {{{candidates}}} 2 Steady 10.0 1 3 7.5 7,752 19.2 +3.5
  Reform {{{candidates}}} 1 Increase 1 5.0 0 1 2.5 7,820 19.4 N/A
  PAB {{{candidates}}} 0 Steady 0.0 1 1 2.5 N/A[a] N/A –1.5
  Conservative {{{candidates}}} 0 Steady 0.0 0 0 0.0 7,091 17.5 –7.9
  Labour {{{candidates}}} 0 Steady 0.0 0 0 0.0 616 1.5 –3.2
  CPA {{{candidates}}} 0 Steady 0.0 0 0 0.0 22 0.1 N/A
  TUSC {{{candidates}}} 0 Steady 0.0 0 0 0.0 14 0.0 –0.2
  Heritage {{{candidates}}} 0 Steady 0.0 0 0 0.0 10 0.0 N/A

Reform UK won its first seat on Cheltenham Borough Council, with Callum James Eldridge winning Hesters Way by 16 votes from Liberal Democrat candidate Benjamin Botchway.[11]

Ward results

Sitting councillors are marked with an asterisk (*).

All Saints

All Saints[12][13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Izaac Tailford* 928 45.0 −8.7
Green James Dyson 596 28.9 +14.3
Reform Hod Birkby 275 13.3 N/A
Conservative Gill Hewlett 225 10.9 −12.2
Labour Diana Hale 37 1.8 −12.2
Majority 332 16.1 N/A
Turnout 2,066 45.69 +11.7
Registered electors 4,521
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Battledown

Battledown[14][15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Chris Day* 1,040 47.4 +2.2
Conservative Chris Clinton 506 23.1 −17.2
Reform Marcia Jacko 349 15.9 N/A
Green Liam Pem 276 12.6 +1.6
Labour Lukshayini Manimaran 23 1.0 −6.3
Majority 534 24.3 N/A
Turnout 2,196 46.1 +10.1
Registered electors 4,759
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Benhall, the Reddings and Fiddler's Green

Benhall, the Reddings and Fiddler's Green[16][17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Stephen Steinhardt* 1,103 46.6 −4.1
Reform Maggie Humphries 565 23.9 N/A
Conservative Dan Collins 436 18.4 −14.0
Green Emily Fairburn 264 11.1 −1.4
Majority 538 22.7 N/A
Turnout 2,372 47.69 +6.7
Registered electors 4,974
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Charlton Kings

Charlton Kings[18][19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Arthur Snell 922 39.4 −5.9
Green Jon Perera 563 24.1 +11.0
Conservative Matt Babbage 487 20.8 −8.4
Reform Den Jeffreys-Jones 320 13.7 N/A
Labour Ella Rees 47 2.0 −7.1
Majority 359 15.3 N/A
Turnout 2,339 51.86 +9.9
Registered electors 4,516
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Charlton Park

Charlton Park[20][21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Steve Harvey* 906 38.5 −14.5
Conservative Elliot Craddock 740 31.4 +4.4
Green Kes Steger 370 15.7 +8.0
Reform Kevin Bowden 296 12.6 N/A
Labour Co-op John Bride 44 1.9 −3.7
Majority 166 7.0 N/A
Turnout 2,360 54.82 +8.9
Registered electors 4,305
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

College

College[22][23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Garth Barnes* 1,003 50.0 +1.9
Green Naomi Seadon 337 16.8 −6.9
Conservative Rich Newman 334 16.7 −1.7
Reform Maureen McNall 269 13.4 N/A
Labour Adam Moliver 51 2.5 −8.1
Heritage Stephen Reid 10 0.5 N/A
Majority 666 33.2 N/A
Turnout 2,007 47.35 +6.35
Registered electors 4,239
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Hesters Way

Hesters Way[24][25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Callum Eldridge 431 31.7 N/A
Liberal Democrats Benjamin Botchway 415 30.5 −5.9
Green Wendy Flynn 366 26.9 −2.4
Conservative Alex Miller 99 7.3 −8.1
Labour Clive Harriss 40 2.9 −12.7
TUSC Samuel Coxson 8 0.6 −2.2
Majority 16 1.2 N/A
Turnout 1,361 27.05 +8.05
Registered electors 5,032
Reform gain from Liberal Democrats Swing

The result gave Reform UK its first seat on Cheltenham Borough Council, defeating the Liberal Democrats by 16 votes.[26]

Lansdown

Lansdown[27][28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jamie Jamieson 874 41.6 +4.4
Conservative Pippa Mason 574 27.3 –5.7
Green Ed Joy 330 15.7 +2.7
Reform Dean Raymond Luke Botterill 324 15.4 N/A
Majority 300 14.3 N/A
Turnout 2,107 43.62 +10.62
Registered electors 4,830
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Leckhampton

Leckhampton[29][30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Julia Caroline Chandler* 1,274 53.9 +6.6
Conservative Nick Saywell 491 20.8 –9.9
Reform Stephen Hayward Bajdala-Brown 307 13.0 N/A
Green Peter Frings 260 11.0 ±0.0
Labour Philip Cole 33 1.4 –4.5
Majority 783 33.1 N/A
Turnout 2,374 55.31 +5.31
Registered electors 4,292
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Oakley

Oakley[31][32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Alisha Chloe-Marie Lewis* 632 43.1 –3.7
Reform Maureen Susan Dodwell 487 33.2 N/A
Green Nathan Weller 204 13.9 +5.9
Conservative Roy Hewlett 144 9.8 –12.7
Majority 145 9.9 N/A
Turnout 1,467 33.55 +9.55
Registered electors 4,373
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Park

Park[33][34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Karen Louise Priest 997 41.9 –4.9
Conservative Tim Harman 750 31.5 –7.1
Reform Andrew Patrick Dempsey 298 12.5 N/A
Green Karen Wilson 290 12.2 +2.4
Labour Kevin Michael Boyle 45 1.9 –6.1
Majority 247 10.4 N/A
Turnout 2,385 52.87 +8.87
Registered electors 4,511
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Pittville

Pittville[35][36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Cecily Frances Grace Henderson 1,037 45.0 +0.5
Green Jamal Rahman 470 20.4 +6.6
Reform Ashley John Fraser Mills 389 16.9 N/A
Conservative Alan James Davis 362 15.7 –10.2
Labour Martin William Glozier 45 2.0 –6.9
Majority 567 24.6 N/A
Turnout 2,313 48.10 +12.10
Registered electors 4,809
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Prestbury

Prestbury[37][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Jan Foster* 993 41.2 +3.6
Reform Lance Alan Fletcher 621 25.8 N/A
Conservative Chris Mason 430 17.9 –13.4
Liberal Democrats Benjamin David Ingram 364 15.1 +2.6
Majority 372 15.4 N/A
Turnout 2,417 50.35 +9.35
Registered electors 4,800
Green hold Swing

Springbank

Springbank[39][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Peter Jeremy Jeffries* 719 45.1 –19.7
Reform Haydn Douglas Pearl 498 31.2 N/A
Green Sarp Cetin 195 12.2 +1.8
Conservative Helen Frances Shill 162 10.2 –9.0
CPA David Nigel Edgar 22 1.4 N/A
Majority 221 13.8 N/A
Turnout 1,598 32.80 +8.80
Registered electors 4,872
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

St Mark's

St Mark's[41][42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Richard James Pineger* 752 43.9 –7.8
Reform Antony Neil Fillingham 438 25.6 N/A
Green Kieran Scott 297 17.3 +4.5
Conservative Colin John Parsons 160 9.3 –10.6
Labour Julie Frances Farmer 67 3.9 –12.6
Majority 314 18.3 N/A
Turnout 1,720 36.68 +8.68
Registered electors 4,689
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

St Paul's

St Paul's[43][44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Ashleigh Davies* 723 50.5 +11.0
Liberal Democrats Cathal Lynch* 374 26.1 –1.5
Reform Steve Buckley 208 14.5 N/A
Conservative Sandra Gloria Parsons 87 6.1 –4.7
Labour Christopher John Meehan 40 2.8 –17.0
Majority 349 24.4 N/A
Turnout 1,440 31.77 +6.77
Registered electors 4,533
Green hold Swing

Cathal Lynch was a sitting councillor for Hesters Way ward

St Peter's

St Peter's[45][46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Cathy Dearden 876 44.4 –8.6
Green John Jarvis 444 22.5 +7.1
Reform Anthony William Green 386 19.6 N/A
Conservative Risha Santilal 187 9.5 −6.6
Labour Michael Thomas Farmer 72 3.7 –12.2
TUSC Billy Jones 6 0.3 N/A
Majority 432 21.9 N/A
Turnout 1,983 39.97 +11.97
Registered electors 4,961
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Swindon Village

Swindon Village[47][48]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Richard Lawler 606 37.8 –12.8
Reform Matthew David William Podmore 462 28.8 N/A
Green Ian Cameron 363 22.7 –2.3
Conservative Edward Wadih Hazzan 126 7.9 –7.9
Labour Chris Johnson 45 2.8 N/A
Majority 144 9.0 N/A
Turnout 1,605 41.66 +9.66
Registered electors 3,853
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Up Hatherley

Up Hatherley[49][50]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Julie Margaret Sankey* 1,177 51.2 –0.7
Reform Tristram John Francis Torrance 456 19.8 N/A
Conservative Joshua James Godfrey 431 18.8 –6.5
Green Elizabeth Johnson 234 10.2 –1.3
Majority 721 31.4 N/A
Turnout 2,302 46.60 +7.60
Registered electors 4,940
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Warden Hill

Warden Hill[51][52]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Tony Oliver* 1,094 52.2 –0.4
Reform David Paul Dodwell 441 21.0 N/A
Conservative Georgie Bass 360 17.2 –11.8
Green Sarah Quekett 177 8.4 +0.6
Labour Ned Holt 27 1.3 –4.7
Majority 653 31.1 N/A
Turnout 2,105 48.74 +7.74
Registered electors 4,319
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Notes

  1. ↑ Did not stand candidates.

References

  1. ↑ "Cheltenham Council Composition: Latest". opencouncildata.co.uk. Open Council Data UK. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  2. ↑ mhclgpress (16 February 2026). "Update on May 2026 local authority elections – MHCLG in the Media". mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  3. ↑ Garcia, Carmelo (8 May 2026). "Cheltenham rejects 'politics of division' as Lib Dems retain control of council". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Norris, Phil; Garcia, Carmelo (3 May 2024). "Cheltenham Borough Council local election results and reaction - updates". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Cheltenham result - Local Elections 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  6. ↑ Parker, Fiona (16 January 2026). "Lib Dems scrap Cheltenham elections after attacking Tories for same thing - Councillor Rowena Hay asks the Government to postpone May's vote in Cheltenham borough council". The Telegraph.
  7. ↑ Garcia, Carmelo (20 December 2025). "Cheltenham 2026 elections could be pushed back due to council shake-up". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "Lib Dem council to ask for election delay despite Ed Davey's warning". BBC News. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  9. ↑ "Cheltenham local election results 2026: Results in full as Lib Dems hold on to their huge majority". www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "Election results by party, 7 May 2026". democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Liberal Democrats power to victory in Cheltenham Borough Council election". www.punchline-gloucester.com. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "All Saints ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Election results for All Saints". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Battledown ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  15. ↑ "Election results for Battledown". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Benhall, the Reddings and Fiddler's Green ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  17. ↑ "Election results for Benhall, the Reddings and Fiddler's Green". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Charlton Kings ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  19. ↑ "Election results for Charlton Kings". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Charlton Park ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  21. ↑ "Election results for Charlton Park". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "College ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  23. ↑ "Election results for College". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  24. ↑ "Hesters Way ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  25. ↑ "Election results for Hesters Way". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  26. ↑ "Election results for Hesters Way, 7 May 2026". democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk. 7 May 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  27. ↑ "Lansdown ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "Election results for Lansdown". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  29. ↑ "Leckhampton ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  30. ↑ "Election results for Leckhampton". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  31. ↑ "Oakley ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  32. ↑ "Election results for Oakley". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  33. ↑ "Park ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  34. ↑ "Election results for Park". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  35. ↑ "Pittville ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  36. ↑ "Election results for Pittville". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  37. ↑ "Prestbury ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  38. ↑ "Election results for Prestbury". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  39. ↑ "Springbank ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  40. ↑ "Election results for Springbank". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  41. ↑ "St Mark's ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  42. ↑ "Election results for St. Marks". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  43. ↑ "St Paul's ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  44. ↑ "Election results for St. Pauls". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  45. ↑ "St Peter's ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  46. ↑ "Election results for St. Peters". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  47. ↑ "Swindon Village ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  48. ↑ "Election results for Swindon Village". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  49. ↑ "Up Hatherley ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  50. ↑ "Election results for Up Hatherley". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  51. ↑ "Warden Hill ward | Statements of persons nominated for the borough council elections, 7 May 2026". Cheltenham Borough Council. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  52. ↑ "Election results for Warden Hill". Cheltenham Borough Council. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
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