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Dorset Council elections

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dorset Council is the local authority for the unitary authority of Dorset in England. There are 82 councillors, elected every five years until 2029, after which elections will be held every four years.

Political control

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The council was created on 1 April 2019, when Dorset County Council and five of its six district councils merged to form a unitary authority. A "shadow authority" was created in 2018 to oversee the transition, comprising all the existing district and county councillors representing the area of the new authority.[1] The first election to the new council was held in May 2019. Political control of the council has been held by the following parties:[2]

Party in control Years
Conservative 2019–2024
Liberal Democrats 2024–present

Leadership

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During the shadow period 2018–2019, Rebecca Knox, Conservative leader of the outgoing Dorset County Council served as leader of the shadow authority.[3] At the first formal meeting of the new Dorset Council after its elections, Spencer Flower was appointed leader of the council. He had been the last leader of the former East Dorset District Council.[4]

Councillor Party From To
Spencer Flower Conservative 16 May 2019 16 May 2024
Nick Ireland[5] Liberal Democrats 16 May 2024

Council elections

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Year Conservative Liberal Democrats Green Independent Labour Council control
after election
2019 43 29 4 4 2 Conservative
2024 30 42 4 4 2 Liberal Democrats

The next election is due in 2029, five years after the 2024 elections. After the 2029 elections have been held, elections will revert back to being held in every fourth year.[1]

District result maps

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By-election results

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2019-2025

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Lyme and Charmouth by-election 7 April 2022[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Belinda Bawden 594 43.8 +27.0
Conservative Vicci Stocqueler 359 26.5 −13.6
Independent Cheryl Reynolds 320 23.6 −6.7
Labour David Hart 82 6.1 −6.6
Majority 235 17.3
Turnout 1,355
Green gain from Conservative Swing
Sherborne West by-election 29 June 2023[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Richard Crabb 589 50.8 −2.8
Conservative Becky Burns 489 42.2 +4.2
Labour Nick Boothroyd 81 7.0 +7.0
Majority 100 8.6
Turnout 1,159
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Littlemoor and Preston by-election 11 January 2024[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Peter Dickenson 1,237 53.7 +24.3
Liberal Democrats Simon Clifford 833 36.2 +19.1
Labour Stephen Brown 232 10.1 −9.5
Majority 404 17.5
Turnout 2,302
Conservative hold Swing

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2018/648, retrieved 30 June 2022
  2. ^ "Dorset Council Election Results 2019 - All results". Dorset Council. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  3. ^ "Shadow Executive minutes, 18 June 2018". Dorset Council. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  4. ^ Bevins, Trevor (7 May 2021). "No change in senior roles at Dorset Council". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  5. ^ Jones, Paul (20 May 2024). "New leadership revealed for Dorset Council after Lib Dems' election win". Purbeck Gazette. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Lyme and Charmouth Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Sherborne West Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Littlemoor and Preston Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2024.