2022_Colchester_Borough_Council_election
2022 Colchester Borough Council election
2022 UK local government election
Elections to Colchester Borough Council 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.
Quick Facts 18 out of 51 seats to Colchester Borough Council 26 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18 out of 51 seats to Colchester Borough Council 26 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnout | 32.1% ( 1.8%) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Results map of the Borough Council election | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Close
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 Tracey Arnold.
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.
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.
Candidates by party
Conservative Party (18/18)
Liberal Democrats (18/18)
Labour Party (18/18)
Green Party (12/18)
Election results
More information Colchester Borough Council election, Party ...
| 2022 Colchester Borough Council election | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | This election | Full council | This election | |||||||
| Seats | Net | Seats % | Other | Total | Total % | Votes | Votes % | +/− | ||
| Conservative | 6 | 4 |
33.3 | 13 | 19 | 37.3 | 16,308 | 34.5 | -10.3 | |
| Liberal Democrats | 5 |  2 |
27.8 | 9 | 14 | 27.5 | 13,731 | 29.1 | +9.4 | |
| Labour | 6 | 2 |
33.3 | 7 | 13 | 25.5 | 13,311 | 28.2 | +5.7 | |
| Green | 1 | 1 |
5.6 | 2 | 3 | 5.9 | 3,909 | 8.3 | -2.4 | |
| Independent | 0 | 1 |
0.0 | 2 | 2 | 3.9 | N/A | N/A | -1.7 | |
Close
Incumbents
More information Ward, Incumbent councillor ...
| 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 | |
Close
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]
More information Portfolio, Councillor ...
| 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 | |
Close
The Statement of Persons Nominated was released on 5 April 2022, detailing the candidates who will be standing in each of the wards.[6] The results of the borough council election were announced on 6 May 2022.[7]
Incumbents are listed with an asterisk *
Berechurch
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 0.6 |
|||
Close
Castle
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 8.4 |
|||
Close
Greenstead
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 5.1 |
|||
Close
No Reform UK (2.7%) candidate as previous.
Highwoods
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 7.4 |
|||
Close
No Independent (35.0%), Green (6.4%) or Reform UK (2.9%) candidates as previous.
Lexden & Braiswick
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 4.8 |
|||
Close
Marks Tey & Layer
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 8.9 |
|||
Close
No Independent (4.7%) candidate as previous.
Mersea & Pyefleet
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 7.7 |
|||
Close
No Green (16.1%) candidate as previous.
Mile End
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 2.3 |
|||
Close
New Town & Christ Church
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | |||||
Close
Old Heath & The Hythe
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 8.6 |
|||
Close
Prettygate
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 16.7 |
|||
Close
Rural North
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 6.6 |
|||
Close
No Reform UK (2.5%) candidate as previous.
Shrub End
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 3.1 |
|||
Close
No Green (6.1%) or Reform UK (2.8%) candidates as previous.
St. Anne's & St. John's
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 8.2 |
|||
Close
No Green (6.8%) candidate as previous.
Stanway
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 11.6 |
|||
Close
No Green (4.4%) candidate as previous.
Tiptree
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 8.2 |
|||
Close
Wivenhoe
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 8.8 |
|||
Close
Lexden & Braiswick
More information Party, Candidate ...
| 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 | 2.6 |
|||
Close
No Green candidate (11.1%) as previous.
Highwoods
On 20 October 2022, it was announced that Cllr Gerard Oxford and Cllr Beverley Oxford, the two remaining Independent councillors for Highwoods ward, would be resigning from their roles with immediate effect.[9] A by-election was held on 8 December 2022 to fill their vacant seats and was won by one Labour and one Liberal Democrat candidate respectively.[10][11]
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Catherine Bickersteth | 653 | 42.3 | +1.5 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Alison Jay | 618 | 41.4 | +18.8 | |
| Labour Co-op | Pauline Bacon | 501 | 32.5 | -8.1 | |
| Conservative | Richard Martin | 430 | 28.9 | -10.0 | |
| Conservative | David Linghorn-Baker | 413 | 27.7 | -11.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Chantelle Whyborn | 366 | 23.7 | +1.5 | |
| Turnout | 1,543 | 21.4 | -7.1 | ||
| Registered electors | 7,196 | ||||
| Labour gain from Independent | |||||
| Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | |||||
Close
- "Colchester Borough Council Elections Thursday 5 May 2022". Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- "Colchester council elections 2022: Full list of candidates". Daniel Rees. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- "Cllr Nick Cope: A joint statement by the Mayor of Colchester and the Leader of Colchester Borough Council". Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- "Colchester Council to be run by three party coalition". Daniel Rees. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- "THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL AND THE CABINET". Colchester City Council. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Statement of Persons Nominated" (PDF). Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- "2022 Colchester Borough Council election results". Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "2022 - Lexden and Braiswick Ward election - 28 July". Colchester City Council. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- "Gerard and Beverley Oxford resign from Colchester Council". Lewis Adams. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- "Councillor vacancy for Highwoods ward". Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- "Notice of Election Highwoods". Colchester Borough Council. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- "Declaration of Result of Poll". Colchester City Council. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.