2023 West Berkshire Council election

Last updated

2023 West Berkshire Council election
Flag of Berkshire.svg
  2019 4 May 2023 (2023-05-04)2027 

All 43 seats to West Berkshire Council
22 seats needed for a majority
Turnout38%
 First partySecond party
  No image wide.svg No image wide.svg
Leader Lee Dillon Lynne Doherty
Party Liberal Democrats Conservative
Leader's seatThatcham North EastNewbury Speen
(defeated)
Last election16 seats, 31.9%24 seats, 37.4%
Seats won2911
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 13Decrease2.svg 13
Popular vote22,06316,074
Percentage42.8%31.2%
SwingIncrease2.svg 10.9%Decrease2.svg 6.2%

 Third partyFourth party
  No image wide.svg
LeaderCarolyne Culver
Party Green Labour
Leader's seatRidgeway
Last election3 seats, 19.3%0 seats, 9.7%
Seats won21
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 1Increase2.svg 1
Popular vote8,6923,639
Percentage16.9%7.1%
SwingDecrease2.svg 2.5%Decrease2.svg 2.7%

West Berkshire UK ward map 2023.svg

Leader before election

Lynne Doherty
Conservative

Leader after election

Lee Dillon
Liberal Democrats

The 2023 West Berkshire Council election took take place on 4 May 2023 to elect members of West Berkshire Council in England. This was on the same day as other local elections across England. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Prior to the election the council was under Conservative control, with the party having held a majority of the seats since 2005. The Liberal Democrats took control at the election, winning 29 of the 43 seats. The Conservative leader of the council, Lynne Doherty, lost her seat. [4] At the subsequent annual council meeting on 25 May 2023, Liberal Democrat leader Lee Dillon was appointed leader of the council. [5] The Conservatives appointed Ross Mackinnon to be their new leader in opposition. [6]

Councillors standing down

CouncillorWardFirst electedParty
Jeff BeckNewbury Clay Hill 2000 Conservative
Jeff CantNewbury Clay Hill 2019 Conservative
Hilary ColeChieveley and Cold Ash 2007 Conservative
James ColeHungerford and Kintbury 2015 Conservative
Nassar HuntThatcham Central 2019 Liberal Democrats
Gareth HurleyPangbourne 2019 Conservative
Rick JonesTilehurst and Purley 2015 Conservative
Alan LawBasildon 2007 Conservative
Royce LongtonBurghfield and Mortimer1993 Liberal Democrats
Graham PaskBucklebury1987 Conservative
Claire RowlesHungerford and Kintbury 2019 Conservative
Garth SimpsonChieveley and Cold Ash 2011 Conservative
Andrew WilliamsonTilehurst and Purley 2019 Conservative
Keith WoodhamsThatcham West1997 Liberal Democrats

Results summary

The Liberal Democrats gained a majority on West Berkshire council for the first time since 2003, beating the Conservative Party.

This election saw the Labour Party win a seat on the council for the first time since its formation.

Election result

2023 West Berkshire Council election
PartyCandidatesSeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal Democrats 4329130Increase2.svg 1367.442.822,063+10.9
  Conservative 4311013Decrease2.svg 1325.631.216,074−6.2
  Green 18201Decrease2.svg 14.716.98,692−2.5
  Labour 15110Increase2.svg 12.37.13,639−2.7
  Reform UK 2000Steady2.svg0.00.4222New
  UKIP 1000Steady2.svg0.00.289−1.5
  Heritage 1000Steady2.svg0.00.286New
  Independent 2000Steady2.svg0.01.3696New

Ward results

The Statement of Persons Nominated, which details the candidates standing in each ward, was released by West Berkshire Council following the close of nominations on 5 April 2023. [7]

Winning candidates are highlighted in bold.

Aldermaston

Aldermaston
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Dominic Boeck 562 51.0 −4.1
Liberal Democrats Zdena Burne33330.2−2.9
Labour Philippa Heath12811.6−0.2
Green Matthew Lowe807.3New
Majority 22920.8−1.2
Turnout 1,10836.8
Conservative hold Swing −3.5

Basildon

Basildon
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Laura Coyle 727 58.6 +34.7
Conservative Hazel Preston-Barnes51341.4−14.2
Majority 21417.3N/A
Turnout 1,24945.3
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +24.5

Bradfield

Bradfield
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Ross Mackinnon 601 57.2 −5.1
Liberal Democrats Richard Bucknall35734.0+6.8
Labour Michael Woodward938.8−1.8
Majority 24423.2−11.9
Turnout 1,05436.3
Conservative hold Swing −5.9

Bucklebury

Bucklebury
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Chris Read 828 54.7 +35.0
Conservative Georgina Woods52134.4−28.1
Green Graham Loader16410.8−3.0
Majority 30720.3N/A
Turnout 1,51952.8
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +31.5

Burghfield and Mortimer

Burghfield and Mortimer (3 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Nick Carter 1,499 49.2 +4.1
Liberal Democrats Vicky Poole 1,438 47.2 N/A
Liberal Democrats Geoff Mayes 1,330 43.6 +2.7
Conservative Graham Bridgman1,14637.6−2.4
Conservative Dave Kilshaw1,05534.6−4.6
Conservative Amanda Mackinnon1,03233.9−1.9
Labour Sarah Timms45014.8−4.6
Green Peter Gower43414.2−16.5
Labour Christian Savill30610.0−1.0
Turnout 3,05838.0
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative

Chieveley and Cold Ash

Chieveley and Cold Ash (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Heather Codling 1,156 47.6 +21.5
Conservative Paul Dick 1,049 43.2 −9.6
Conservative Pip Witheridge87836.1−13.1
Liberal Democrats Tom McCann82934.1N/A
Green Jill Hoblin58524.1−4.0
Turnout 2,44044.9
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative
Conservative hold

Downlands

Downlands
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Clive Hooker 644 55.6 −6.6
Liberal Democrats John Boyd28824.8−3.0
Green Jane Gartshore14612.6New
Labour Ian McKay817.0−3.0
Majority 35630.7−3.7
Turnout 1,16738.9
Conservative hold Swing −4.8

Hungerford and Kintbury

Hungerford and Kintbury (3 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Denise Gaines 2,036 54.7 +15.1
Liberal Democrats Tony Vickers 1,704 45.8 +8.6
Conservative Dennis Benneyworth 1,572 42.2 −6.3
Liberal Democrats Julian Swift-Hook1,50940.5+10.8
Conservative Peter Tompkins1,38037.1−8.6
Conservative Ben Podger1,35636.4−7.6
Green Trish Whitham82922.3+1.4
Turnout 3,73842.1
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative
Conservative hold

Lambourn

Lambourn
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Howard Woollaston 618 59.8 −3.3
Liberal Democrats Diana Pattenden26225.4+1.4
Green Susan Millington15314.8New
Majority 35634.5−4.6
Turnout 1,03733.4
Conservative hold Swing −2.3

Newbury Central

Newbury Central (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Martin Colston 1,358 60.0 +11.4
Liberal Democrats Louise Sturgess 1,316 58.2 +10.7
Conservative Sean Doherty65028.7+0.8
Conservative JC Jardim61927.4+0.8
Green Bobby Pop39917.6−4.7
Turnout 2,27241.1
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold

Newbury Clay Hill

Newbury Clay Hill (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Stuart Gourley 1,311 69.4 +33.5
Liberal Democrats Nigel Foot 1,077 57.0 +32.5
Conservative Richard Almond43222.9−20.8
Conservative Jeanette Clifford42222.3−14.5
Independent John Gotelee26313.9N/A
Green Karen Swaffield24212.8−9.1
Heritage David McMahon864.6N/A
Turnout 1,89633.9
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative

Newbury Greenham

Newbury Greenham (3 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Phil Barnett 1,716 55.5 +7.0
Liberal Democrats Billy Drummond 1,532 49.6 −0.2
Liberal Democrats Erik Pattenden 1,484 48.0 +6.3
Green Michael Wakelyn-Green91829.7+9.1
Conservative Sarah James75424.4−2.9
Conservative Linda Verner72523.5−3.7
Conservative Joseph Clarke71323.1−2.1
Labour Gary Puffett42613.8+4.3
Reform UK James Anfield1434.6N/A
Turnout 3,10033.8
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold

Newbury Speen

Newbury Speen (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Martha Vickers 1,109 44.8 +11.5
Liberal Democrats Antony Amirtharaj 1,062 42.9 N/A
Green Steve Masters83133.5−23.2
Conservative Lynne Doherty79131.9−3.5
Conservative David Dudman74830.2−4.6
Reform UK Jose Ferreira793.2N/A
Turnout 2,48743.1
Liberal Democrats gain from Green
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative

Newbury Wash Common

Newbury Wash Common (3 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Patrick Clark 1,774 54.0 −0.5
Liberal Democrats Adrian Abbs 1,712 52.1 −2.4
Green David Marsh 1,495 45.5 −8.0
Liberal Democrats Vaughan Miller1,48045.0N/A
Conservative James Davies68620.9−12.4
Conservative Clive Hunt67620.6−6.7
Conservative Andrea Stephenson62719.1−6.0
Independent Simon Kirby43313.2N/A
Turnout 3,30546.5
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold
Green hold

Pangbourne

Pangbourne
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Matthew Shakespeare 678 53.1 +22.6
Conservative Michael Male44434.8−16.9
Labour Mark Farrington947.4−10.5
Green Tim Hall614.8New
Majority 23418.3N/A
Turnout 1,28245.9
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +19.8

Ridgeway

Ridgeway
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Green Carolyne Culver 952 68.8 +6.9
Conservative Edward Iliffe34524.9−6.0
Liberal Democrats Pam Lusby Taylor876.3New
Majority 60743.9+12.9
Turnout 1,38745.1
Green hold Swing +6.4

Thatcham Central

Thatcham Central (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Stephanie Steevenson 1,040 56.5 +9.3
Liberal Democrats Iain Cottingham 1,024 55.6 +15.7
Conservative Richard Crumly51127.8−3.6
Conservative Iain Murphy48226.2−0.6
Green Estella Collins26714.5−0.5
Labour Mike Brook19610.6+3.9
Turnout 1,85834.4
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold

Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham

Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Owen Jeffrey 794 70.1 +27.7
Conservative Steve Ardagh-Walter33929.9−19.9
Majority 45540.2N/A
Turnout 1,14544.4
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +23.8

Thatcham North East

Thatcham North East (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Lee Dillon 1,131 61.4 +6.1
Liberal Democrats Jeremy Cottam 1,048 56.9 +3.4
Conservative Simon Carr51427.9−8.0
Conservative Dominic Parry43223.5−8.1
Green Kath Hodgson37620.4N/A
Turnout 1,84932.0
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold

Thatcham West

Thatcham West (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Jeff Brooks 1,110 63.5 +13.6
Liberal Democrats Justin Pemberton 871 50.3 +4.7
Conservative Jason Collis43925.4−1.2
Conservative Jonathan Pearson34419.9−3.7
Green Elizabeth Parsloe21512.4−2.0
Labour Sarah Berrington1217.0+0.9
Labour Nick East995.7+1.1
UKIP Gary Johnson895.1−9.3
Turnout 1,74132.4
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold

Theale

Theale
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Alan Macro 585 70.7 +3.1
Conservative Thomas Parkhill14817.9−4.9
Labour Suzie Ferguson9411.4+1.8
Majority 43752.8+8.0
Turnout 2,30736.0
Liberal Democrats hold Swing +4.0

Tilehurst and Purley

Tilehurst and Purley (3 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Janine Lewis 1,195 42.4 +22.1
Conservative Jane Langford 1,191 42.2 −10.4
Conservative Paul Kander 1,183 41.9 −9.1
Liberal Democrats Simon Billows1,13340.2N/A
Conservative Thomas Marino1,09738.9−10.0
Liberal Democrats Gary Norman63322.4N/A
Labour James Warren59921.2−3.5
Green Jacqueline Paynter54519.3−6.7
Turnout 2,83134.4
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

Tilehurst Birch Copse

Tilehurst Birch Copse (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Jo Stewart 777 45.3 −3.5
Labour Clive Taylor 737 42.9 +18.8
Conservative Tony Linden73642.9−5.6
Liberal Democrats Ceinwen Lally43825.5+11.8
Liberal Democrats Andy Moore34520.1+8.5
Turnout 1,71928.9
Conservative hold
Labour gain from Conservative

Tilehurst South and Holybrook

Tilehurst South and Holybrook (2 seats)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Richard Somner 827 49.8 −8.4
Conservative Biyi Oloko 716 43.1 −12.2
Labour Charles Croal62037.3+12.0
Labour Liz Bell55433.4+9.9
Liberal Democrats Andre Browne26115.7−1.3
Liberal Democrats John Grout20312.2−1.0
Turnout 1,67329.2
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

By-elections

Thatcham North East

Thatcham North East by-election: 1 May 2025
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Tom McCann 690 41.1 –14.9
Conservative Dominic Parry42825.5+0.1
Reform UK James Stokes36721.9N/A
Green Michael Wakelyn-Green1277.6–11.0
Labour Lee Allen653.9N/A
Majority 26215.6N/A
Turnout 1,67929.1–2.9
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Decrease2.svg7.5

References

  1. "Upcoming elections in West Berkshire". West Berkshire Council . Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  2. "Candidates announced for May 4th council elections". Kennet Radio. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  3. "Election timetable in England". UK Government . Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  4. Zaccaro, Maria (6 May 2023). "Tories lose control of three Berkshire councils". BBC News. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  5. "Leader and Executive confirmed for 2023/24". West Berkshire Council. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  6. Aamani, Hinna (13 May 2023). "West Berkshire Conservatives appoint new leader". Newbury Today. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  7. "Notices of Election for District Elections 2023". West Berkshire Council. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.