1976 North Hertfordshire District Council election

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1976 North Hertfordshire District Council election
←  1973 6 May 1976 (1976-05-06) 1979  →
All 48 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council
25 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond party
 
Con
Lab
LeaderBob FlatmanJohn Goldsmith
Party Conservative Labour
Seats before2317
Seats after3011
Seat changeIncrease2.svg7Decrease2.svg6
 Third partyFourth party
 
Ind
RA
LeaderKen Logan
Party Independent Ratepayers
Seats before71
Seats after52
Seat changeDecrease2.svg2Increase2.svg1
Leader before election

Bob Flatman
Conservative
No overall control

Leader after election

Bob Flatman
Conservative

The 1976 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 6 May 1976, at the same time as other local elections across England and Wales. All 48 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council were up for election.

Contents

The election saw the Conservatives take a majority of the seats on the council, which had previously been under no overall control, being led by a Conservative minority administration. The Conservative group leader, Bob Flatman, continued to serve as leader of the council after the election. [1] The Labour group leader, John Goldsmith, lost his seat and was replaced as group leader by Bill Miller. [2]

Overall results

The overall results were as follows: [3]

North Hertfordshire District Council Election, 1976
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Conservative 3070+762.549.819,994+7.1
  Labour 1106-622.928.811,566-4.0
  Independent 502-210.412.34,938-7.3
  Ratepayers 210+14.25.22,082+2.1
  Liberal 00.03.91,545+2.1

Ward results

The results for each ward were as follows. An asterisk(*) indicates a sitting councillor standing for re-election. A double dagger (‡) indicates a sitting councillor contesting a different ward. [3] [4]

Ward 1: Baldock
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Independent Nora Burgess* 1,240 40.3 -0.1
Conservative Roger Gazely 873 28.4 +2.7
Conservative John Barton* 839
Labour George York*71623.3-3.8
Labour Stanley Watson628
Labour Roger McFall607
Conservative Alfred Bickell511
Liberal Ronald Littleford
(Ron Littleford)		2488.1+1.2
Turnout 46.4
Registered electors 6,631
Independent hold Swing -1.4
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 2: Hitchin Oughton
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Audrey Carss* 1,038 55.2 +2.4
Labour Jim Reilly* 957
Labour David Kendall 902
Conservative Raymond Shanks84144.8+18.6
Conservative John Wallace836
Conservative Andree Boddington714
Turnout 49.0
Registered electors 3,835
Labour hold Swing -8.1
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Ward 3: Hitchin Bearton
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Ingram 1,063 64.0 +7.0
Conservative David Roberts 1,048
Labour Keith Ruff45027.1-15.9
Labour Brian Abrahams408
Liberal George Fisher1488.9+8.9
Liberal Christopher Freel115
Turnout 47.0
Registered electors 3,534
Conservative hold Swing +11.5
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 4: Hitchin Priory
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Robert Stanley Flatman*
(Bob Flatman)		1,372 74.3 +14.8
Conservative Derek Alfred Doel* 1,272
Conservative Michael John Frederick Hillman ‡ 1,212
Labour William Edward Harmer32217.4+1.0
Labour Doris Marian Reilly311
Labour Crystal Anne Toleman294
Liberal Jane Elizabeth Brine1528.2-15.8
Liberal Handel Thomas Robert Leonard152
Turnout 41.9
Registered electors 4,406
Conservative hold Swing +6.9
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 5: Hitchin Walsworth
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Ratepayers Kenneth William Logan*
(Ken Logan)		1,555 42.5 +10.4
Ratepayers Brian Robert Worbey 1,276
Labour Frederick George Peacock
(Fred Peacock)		1,106 30.2 -6.5
Conservative Frederick Stanley Scott
(Fred Scott)		1,00127.3-3.9
Labour John Henry Goldsmith*812
Labour Martin John Stears726
Turnout 57.4
Registered electors 6,380
Ratepayers hold Swing +8.5
Ratepayers gain from Labour Swing
Labour hold Swing
Ward 6: Hitchin Highbury
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Beryl Faith Wearmouth* 1,726 80.2 +26.9
Conservative Stephen Arthur Whaley 1,597
Conservative Betty May Goble 1,594
Labour Walter Patrick Guymer42519.8+7.7
Labour Stewart Patrick Faulkner360
Labour Harold Alexander Smith336
Turnout 52.0
Registered electors 4,137
Conservative hold Swing +9.6
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 7: Letchworth Norton
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Bill Miller* 1,467 47.1 -15.7
Labour David Evans 1,461
Labour Donald Kitchiner*
(Don Kitchiner)		1,458
Labour Rodney Playford 1,435
Conservative William Charles Bifield
(Charles Bifield)		1,28841.4+4.2
Conservative Walter Gurney1,276
Conservative Barry Jackson1,196
Conservative Dominic Alphonsus Murphy1,091
Independent Roger Leach35811.5+11.5
Turnout 48.9
Registered electors 6,366
Labour hold Swing -10.0
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Ward 8: Letchworth Pixmore
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ernest Brown*
(Ernie Brown)		1,374 67.5 -7.8
Labour David Arthur Griffiths* 1,322
Labour Reginald Hall* 1,301
Conservative Jean May Sherwood66232.5+7.8
Conservative Pauline Margaret Wood637
Conservative Richard Edward Markiewicz619
Turnout 44.9
Registered electors 4,535
Labour hold Swing -7.8
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing
Ward 9: Letchworth Wilbury
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Raynor Bloxham
(Ray Bloxham)		1,182 53.2 +12.7
Conservative Roland Baker 1,156
Conservative Paul Shipman 1,136
Labour Mamie Briercliffe*1,04146.8-12.7
Labour David Gallard*1,020
Labour Ian Mantle*933
Turnout 57.8
Registered electors 3,846
Conservative gain from Labour Swing +12.7
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
Ward 10: Letchworth Westbury
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Clifford John Marshall* 1,011 65.5 +11.0
Conservative Geoffrey Peter Woods
(Geoff Woods)		921
Labour Headley Valentine Parkins53334.5-11.0
Labour Ormond Paul Simpson517
Turnout 66.8
Registered electors 2,311
Conservative hold Swing +11.0
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 11: Letchworth Central and Willian
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Anthony Gregory Burrows 1,786 83.0 +23.1
Conservative Robert Saunders*
(Bob Saunders)		1,742
Labour Henry Fuller36617.0+2.9
Turnout 55.1
Registered electors 3,906
Conservative hold Swing +10.1
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 12: Royston
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Francis John Smith*
(John Smith)		1,998 39.2 +2.6
Independent George William Stevens* 1,673 32.8 -9.9
Independent Patricia Rule*
(Pat Rule)		1,672
Independent Phillip Leslie Gray* 1,350
Conservative Terence Botfield1,258
Conservative Christopher McMichael1,124
Conservative Howard Marshall1,095
Labour Robert Douglas Beckwith81516.0-4.8
Labour Alan Evans767
Labour Peter Ball675
Liberal Hazel Priscilla Lord61512.1+12.1
Labour Michael William Kernaghan603
Liberal Anthony Perkins406
Turnout 52.8
Registered electors 9,661
Conservative hold Swing +6.3
Independent hold Swing
Independent hold Swing
Independent hold Swing
Ward 13: Ashwell, Bygrave, Caldecote, Clothall, Graveley, Hinxworth, Newnham, Radwell and Weston
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Robert Evans* 950 69.3 +34.9
Conservative John Stapleton 926
Labour John Schofield42030.7+16.6
Labour John Summers307
Turnout 53.2
Registered electors 2,575
Conservative hold Swing +9.2
Conservative gain from Independent Swing
Ward 14: Barkway, Barley, Kelshall, Nuthampstead, Reed, Rushden, Sandon, Therfield and Wallington
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Esther Brookes* 781 55.1 -0.4
Conservative Ian Rose* 662
Independent Fraser William Field51136.1+3.7
Labour Nigel Pratt1258.8-3.3
Labour Anthony Pettit
(Tony Pettit)		108
Turnout 55.0
Registered electors 2,576
Conservative hold Swing -2.1
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 15: Ippollitts, Kimpton, Langley, Preston, St Paul's Walden and Wymondley
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Gilbert 1,542 76.8 -0.7
Conservative Leslie Rabbitts 1,523
Conservative John Raffell* 1,523
Labour Pauline Oakley46623.2+0.7
Labour Frances Mary Polly464
Labour Jennifer Fitzpatrick387
Turnout 49.5
Registered electors 4,057
Conservative hold Swing -0.7
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 16: Codicote
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Denis Wallace Charles Winch* unopposed
Registered electors 2,052
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 17: Knebworth
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Gordon Cartwright Dumelow* 727 48.0 +7.8
Conservative Alfred James Grosse* 555
Ratepayers Anthony Tomlinson52734.8+14.7
Ratepayers Ronald Charles Gilbert309
Labour Martin Harvey Lisles26217.3-4.3
Turnout 53.6
Registered electors 2,828
Conservative hold Swing -3.5
Conservative hold Swing
Ward 18: Hexton, Holwell, Ickleford, King's Walden, Lilley, Offley and Pirton
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Brian Feaver 1,191 35.4 +7.9
Independent Ronald Alfred Lodge*
(Ron Lodge)		1,156 34.3 -3.3
Conservative John Charles Jackson 1,038
Conservative Mary Middleton972
Labour Raymond Cousins64019.0-16.0
Labour Clive Hugh Godfrey549
Labour Anthony James Brown518
Liberal Sarah Ann Lowe38211.3+11.3
Turnout 53.6
Registered electors 6,285
Conservative gain from Independent Swing +5.6
Independent hold Swing
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

Changes 1976–1979

Five by-elections were held on 6 April 1978, following the simultaneous resignations of five Conservative councillors on 13 February 1978. All five seats were retained by the Conservatives. [5] [6] [7]

Ward 3: Hitchin Bearton by-election, 6 April 1978
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Fred Scott 787 48.9 -15.1
Labour Martin Stears65940.9+13.8
National Party Bob Aylott633.9+3.9
Liberal Sarah Low553.4-5.5
Ratepayers Jack Swain462.9+2.9
Turnout 46.3
Conservative hold Swing -14.5

The Hitchin Bearton by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor David Ingram, citing business reasons.

Ward 6: Hitchin Highbury by-election, 6 April 1978
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Stuart Grantham 1,036 59.0 -21.3
Ratepayers Bert Moore44825.5+25.5
Labour John Joshua27315.5-4.2
Turnout 41.8
Conservative hold Swing -23.4

The Hitchin Highbury by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Stephen Arthur Whaley, who had moved away from the district.

Ward 9: Letchworth Wilbury by-election, 6 April 1978
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Keith Emsall 1,091 48.7 -4.4
Labour Ian Mantle1,03946.4-0.4
Liberal Ian McGinlay1094.9+4.9
Turnout 54.9
Conservative hold Swing -2.0

The Letchworth Wilbury by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Roland Baker, who also resigned from the party citing disillusionment with Conservative party policy.

Ward 13: Ashwell, Bygrave, Caldecote, Clothall, Graveley, Hinxworth, Newnham, Radwell and Weston by-election, 6 April 1978
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Sheldrick 841 74.8 +5.5
Labour John Schofield28325.2-5.5
Turnout 40.1
Conservative hold Swing +5.5

The Ward 13 by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor John Stapleton, who had moved away from the district.

Ward 14: Barkway, Barley, Kelshall, Nuthampstead, Reed, Rushden, Sandon, Therfield and Wallington by-election, 6 April 1978
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Bob Wilkerson 922 89.6 +34.5
Labour Peter Ball10710.4+1.6
Turnout 46.5
Conservative hold Swing +16.5

The Ward 14 by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Ian Rose, citing business reasons.

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The 1980 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 1 May 1980, at the same time as other local elections across England and Scotland. There were 17 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1982 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 6 May 1982, at the same time as other local elections across England and Scotland. There were 16 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1983 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 5 May 1983, at the same time as other local elections across England and Wales. There were 18 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council plus a by-election in Letchworth East ward.

The 1984 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 3 May 1984, at the same time as other local elections across England and Scotland. There were 17 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1986 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 8 May 1986, at the same time as other local elections across England and Scotland. There were 16 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1987 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 7 May 1987, at the same time as other local elections across England and Wales. There were 17 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1988 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 5 May 1988, at the same time as other local elections across England and Scotland. There were 18 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council plus a by-election in Codicote ward.

The 1990 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 3 May 1990, at the same time as other local elections across England and Scotland. There were 16 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1991 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 2 May 1991, at the same time as other local elections across England and Wales. There were 17 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1992 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 7 May 1992, at the same time as other local elections across England and Scotland. There were 17 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1995 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 4 May 1995, at the same time as other local elections across England and Wales. There were 17 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council.

The 1996 North Hertfordshire District Council election was held on 2 May 1996, at the same time as other local elections across England. There were 18 out of 50 seats on North Hertfordshire District Council up for election, being the usual third of the council plus a by-election in Hitchin Oughton ward.

References

  1. ↑ Hogg, Andrew (13 May 1976). "Tories take charge of North Herts!". The Comet. Hitchin. p. 5.
  2. ↑ "Labour's leader loses seat". The Comet. Hitchin. 13 May 1976. p. 1.
  3. 1 2 Rallings, Colin; Thrasher, Michael. "North Hertfordshire District Council Election Results 1973–2012" (PDF). The Elections Centre. Plymouth University. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Your future council". Letchworth and Baldock Citizen Gazette. 29 April 1976. p. 12.
  5. ↑ "Guns open up in council elections". Letchworth and Baldock Citizen Gazette. 16 February 1978. p. 1.
  6. ↑ "Five to resign from council". Letchworth and Baldock Citizen Gazette. 9 February 1978. p. 1.
  7. ↑ "Tories hold all five seats in by-election". Letchworth and Baldock Citizen Gazette. 13 April 1978. p. 21.
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