The 2003 South Lakeland District Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of South Lakeland District Council in Cumbria, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.^[1]

After the election, the composition of the council was:

• Liberal Democrat 23
• Conservative 18
• Labour 9
• Independent 2^[2]

Before the election the Liberal Democrats had 21 seats, the Conservatives 19, Labour 9 and independents 3.^[3] 17 seats were being contested with the Conservatives defending 10, the Liberal Democrats 6 and an independent 1 seat.^[3] 2 sitting Liberal Democrat councillors stood down at the election, Patricia Himsworth in Arnside and Beetham, and Claire Chorley in Burneside.^[3][4]

Major issues in the election included housing, regeneration, recycling, public toilets,^[5] affordable transport and refuse collection.^[6]

The results saw the Liberal Democrats remain the largest party with 23 seats,^[7] but without a majority, after gaining 2 seats from the Conservatives in Cartmel and Low Furness & Swarthmoor and 1 seat from an independent in Whinfell.^[3] However the Conservatives did take 1 seat back from the Liberal Democrats in Arnside & Beetham to hold 18 seats.^[3] Labour remained on 9 seats, while independents dropped to 2 seats.^[3] Overall turnout in the election was 44%, with a low of 33.9% in Windermere Applethwaite to a high of 54.2% in Kirkby Lonsdale.^[3]

• Joss Curwen was originally elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor.

• Leslie Hadwin was originally elected unopposed as an Independent councillor.

• John Manning had previously been elected in a by-election.

• William Tyson had been elected at a by-election for the Conservative Party.