Wealden District Council election, 2007

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Map of the results of the 2007 Wealden council election. Conservatives in blue, Liberal Democrats in yellow, independents in grey and Greens in green. Wealden UK local election 2007 map.svg
Map of the results of the 2007 Wealden council election. Conservatives in blue, Liberal Democrats in yellow, independents in grey and Greens in green.

The 2007 Wealden District Council election took place on 3 May 2007 to elect members of Wealden District Council in East Sussex, England. The whole council was up for election and the Conservative party stayed in overall control of the council. [1]

Wealden District Non-metropolitan district in England

Wealden is a local government district in East Sussex, England: its name comes from the Weald, the remnant forest which was once unbroken and occupies much of the centre and north of this area. The term is cognate with Wald, forest or wood in German.

Non-metropolitan district Type of local government district in England

Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially "shire districts", are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a two-tier arrangement.

East Sussex County of England

East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent to the north and east, Surrey to the north west and West Sussex to the west, and to the south by the English Channel.

Contents

Background

At the 2003 election the Conservatives held control of the council with 34 seats, compared to 15 for the Liberal Democrats and 6 independents. [2] However, in September 2006 Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Shing was expelled from the Liberal Democrats and continued on the council as an independent. [3]

Liberal Democrats (UK) Political party in the United Kingdom

The Liberal Democrats are a liberal political party in the United Kingdom. It is currently led by Vince Cable. They have 11 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, 96 members of the House of Lords, one member of the European Parliament, five Members of the Scottish Parliament and one member in the Welsh Assembly and London Assembly. At the height of its influence, the party formed a coalition government with the Conservative Party from 2010 to 2015 with its leader Nick Clegg serving as Deputy Prime Minister.

A Councillor is a member of a local government council.

The Conservatives took 4 seats without any opposition and were also guaranteed seats in other wards where there were not enough candidates from other parties for the number of seats being contested. [4] The returning officer for Wealden, Charlie Lant, formed a band called The Council Tax Band with other council officers and performed a song called Vote! in an effort to boost turnout at the election. [5] [6]

In various parliamentary systems, a returning officer is responsible for overseeing elections in one or more constituencies.

Voter turnout percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election

Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Eligibility varies by country, and the voting-eligible population should not be confused with the total adult population. Age and citizenship status are often among the criteria used to determine eligibility, but some countries further restrict eligibility based on sex, race, or religion.

An important issue at the election was a legal loophole, which was allowing developers to build increased numbers of houses in the area. [4]

A loophole is an ambiguity or inadequacy in a system, such as a law or security, which can be used to circumvent or otherwise avoid the purpose, implied or explicitly stated, of the system.

Real estate development multifaceted business encompassing activities related to buildings and land

Real estate development, or property development, is a business process, encompassing activities that range from the renovation and re-lease of existing buildings to the purchase of raw land and the sale of developed land or parcels to others. Real estate developers are the people and companies who coordinate all of these activities, converting ideas from paper to real property. Real estate development is different from construction, although many developers also manage the construction process.

Election result

The Conservatives held control of the council staying on 34 seats, but both the Conservative leader of the council Nigel Coltman and the Liberal Democrat group leader Laura Murphy were defeated. [7] The Liberal Democrats lost 2 seats, dropping to 12 councillors, while independents remained on 7 seats and the Green party won its first councillors on the council after gaining 2 seats. [8] [9] [10] Overall turnout at the election was 38.51%, [11] up from 35% in 2003. [12]

Green Party of England and Wales Political party in England and Wales

The Green Party of England and Wales is a green, left-wing political party in England and Wales. Headquartered in London, since September 2018, its co-leaders are Siân Berry and Jonathan Bartley. The Green Party has one representative in the House of Commons, one in the House of Lords, and three in the European Parliament. In addition, it has various councillors in UK local government and two members of the London Assembly.

The Conservative leader Nigel Coltman was defeated by Liberal Democrat Brian Cook in Hailsham East by a 55-vote majority, with the Conservatives also losing 2 seats to the Greens in Forest Row. [7] However the Conservatives did not suffer a net loss of seats as they also made gains including defeating the Liberal Democrat group leader Laura Murphy in Hailsham Central and North. [7] The Liberal Democrats did gain a seat in Polegate South from an independent by 1 vote, but Stephen Shing was re-elected as an independent in Willingdon, while Shing's son Daniel also gained a seat in the same ward and Shing's wife Oi Lin gained one in Polegate North. [7]

Hailsham town

Hailsham is a civil parish and the largest of the five towns in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book, where it is called Hamelesham. The town of Hailsham has a history of industry and agriculture.

Forest Row village in East Sussex, United Kingdom

Forest Row is a village and relatively large civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. The village is located three miles (5 km) south-east of East Grinstead.

Polegate a town in Wealden, United Kindom

Polegate is a town and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England, United Kingdom. It is located five miles (8 km) north of the seaside resort of Eastbourne and is part of the greater area of that town. Although once a railway settlement, its importance as such has now waned by route closures. The civil parish of Polegate had a population of 8,586 on the 2011 census, 41.2% aged 65 and over.

Wealden local election result 2007 [13] [14]
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Conservative 3433061.854.636,928+5.2%
  Liberal Democrat 1235-221.823.415,820-11.6%
  Independent 722012.715.010,153+5.5%
  Green 220+23.66.04,082+4.1%
  Labour 000000.6424-3.3%
  English Democrat 000000.3190+0.3%
  UKIP 000000.157-0.1%

Ward results

Alfriston [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Keith Whitehead70771.8+4.5
Liberal Democrat Christine Page27728.2-4.5
Majority43043.7+9.1
Turnout 98448.5-1.0
Conservative hold Swing
Buxted and Maresfield (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Norman Buck1,203
Conservative Ken Ogden1,115
Liberal Democrat Michael Cooper394
Turnout 2,71239.0+2.8
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Chiddingly and East Hoathly [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Barby Dashwood-Hall62866.2
Liberal Democrat Barbara Holbrook32133.8
Majority30732.3
Turnout 94942.3
Conservative hold Swing
Cross-in-Hand/Five Ashes [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Jonica Foxunopposed
Conservative hold Swing
Crowborough East (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Sylvia Tidy581
Liberal Democrat Jane Clark579
Conservative Pat Kennedy565
Liberal Democrat Ian Mein510
Green Sarah Hale185
Green Scott Mason133
Turnout 2,55333.5+6.0
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat Swing
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Crowborough Jarvis Brook [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Martin Prestage22245.0+6.2
Conservative John Stevens21543.6+21.5
Green Colin Stocks5611.4+11.4
Majority71.4
Turnout 49325.3-3.5
Liberal Democrat gain from Independent Swing
Crowborough North (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Independent Chantal Wilson1,108
Conservative David Larkin739
Liberal Democrat Adrian Morris530
Turnout 2,37737.9+2.1
Independent hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Crowborough St Johns [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Jim Hollins46959.4-15.9
English Democrat Paul Adams19024.1+24.1
Labour Jean McCarthy476.0-1.7
Liberal Democrat Valerie Banks435.4-11.5
Green Gabrielle Symonds405.1+5.1
Majority27935.4-23.0
Turnout 78940.4+8.4
Conservative hold Swing
Crowborough West (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Diane Phillips992
Conservative Antony Quin954
Liberal Democrat Edward Willis336
Labour Brendan Clegg192
Turnout 2,47434.9+2.7
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Danehill/Fletching/Nutley (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Roy Galleyunopposed
Conservative Sylvia Martinunopposed
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
East Dean [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Charles Peck79381.6+13.8
Liberal Democrat Howard Coote17918.4-13.8
Majority61463.2+27.5
Turnout 97250.8+3.9
Conservative hold Swing
Forest Row (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Green David Jonas938
Green Vania Phitidis877
Conservative Rowena Moore839
Conservative Peter Davey826
Turnout 3,48046.9+13.4
Green gain from Conservative Swing
Green gain from Conservative Swing
Framfield [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Ann Newton70472.6+7.7
Liberal Democrat Steve Hey20921.5+2.1
UKIP Keith Riddle575.9-9.9
Majority49551.0+5.5
Turnout 97045.3+3.1
Conservative hold Swing
Frant/Withyham [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Johanna Howell1,072
Conservative John Padfield955
Green Keith Obbard566
Turnout 2,59339.5+0.9
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Hailsham Central and North (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Paul Holbrook687
Conservative Jo Bentley644
Liberal Democrat Laura Murphy641
Conservative Angela Geall577
Independent John Glover291
Independent Robin Kempe242
Turnout 3,08236.1+4.0
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat Swing
Hailsham East [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Brian Cock32354.7+29.4
Conservative Nigel Coltman26845.3+11.6
Majority559.3
Turnout 59130.2+3.6
Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative Swing
Hailsham South and West (3) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Independent Nick Ellwood742
Independent Ian Haffenden690
Independent Geoff Rowe675
Conservative Lynn Bowman628
Liberal Democrat Anne Blake-Coggins606
Liberal Democrat Ann Murrey599
Conservative Arthur Kay508
Conservative Ginny Heard497
Turnout 4,94529.1+0.4
Independent hold Swing
Independent hold Swing
Independent hold Swing
Hartfield [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Michael Hoy66160.6
Liberal Democrat Mike Burbridge29427.0
Green Heidi Ruse13512.4
Majority36733.7
Turnout 1,09052.5
Conservative hold Swing
Heathfield East [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Jan Dunkunopposed
Conservative hold Swing
Heathfield North and Central (3) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Dick Angel1,423
Conservative Margaret Kirkpatrick1,337
Conservative Niki Oakes1,303
Liberal Democrat Jim Benson561
Turnout 4,62433.2+5.0
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Hellingly (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat John Blake943
Liberal Democrat David White929
Conservative Keith Byatt727
Conservative James Kennedy653
Turnout 3,25239.7+2.8
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Herstmonceux [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Andy Long55969.0+5.9
Independent Laurence Keeley25131.0+31.0
Majority30838.0+11.8
Turnout 81037.6+1.1
Conservative hold Swing
Horam [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Susan Stedman57075.1+18.2
Liberal Democrat Lois Norton18924.9-18.2
Majority38150.2+36.5
Turnout 75936.6+3.4
Conservative hold Swing
Mayfield [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Brian Redman64772.3+18.0
Liberal Democrat Sharon Cottingham12413.9-31.8
Green Derek Forman12413.9+13.9
Majority52358.4+49.9
Turnout 89543.7+2.0
Conservative hold Swing
Ninfield and Hooe with Wartling [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Pam Doodes63383.1
Liberal Democrat Edward Thompson12916.9
Majority50466.1
Turnout 76239.2
Conservative hold Swing
Pevensey and Westham (3) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Kevin Balsdon1,439
Conservative Dianne Dear1,417
Conservative Lin McKeever1,312
Liberal Democrat Christine Thomas893
Turnout 5,06131.7+2.0
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Polegate North (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Independent Oi Shing764
Liberal Democrat Roy Martin683
Liberal Democrat Chris Berry554
Independent John Harmer394
Independent Gerald Carter333
Conservative Derrick Wilkins271
Green Peter Wright108
Turnout 3,10742.8+5.1
Independent gain from Liberal Democrat Swing
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Polegate South [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Don Broadbent30236.9+5.3
Independent Ivy Scarborough30136.8-8.9
Conservative Anne McIlvenny21626.4+3.7
Majority10.1
Turnout 81941.7+3.0
Liberal Democrat gain from Independent Swing
Rotherfield [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Huw Merriman62077.7+30.3
Liberal Democrat Graham Morgan17822.3-23.4
Majority44255.4+53.6
Turnout 79842.7+1.0
Conservative hold Swing
Uckfield Central [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Claire Dowling54258.0+5.3
Liberal Democrat Dorothy Sparks39242.0+3.8
Majority15016.1+1.6
Turnout 93440.3+5.2
Conservative hold Swing
Uckfield New Town [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Julia Hey41063.4+9.2
Conservative Terence Clark23736.6+13.8
Majority17326.7-4.5
Turnout 64731.4+0.4
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Uckfield North (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Paul Sparks693
Liberal Democrat Alan Whittaker532
Conservative Michael Lunn453
Conservative Anne Sabine373
Green Sam Bryant250
Turnout 2,30130.0+2.2
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Uckfield Ridgewood [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Robert Sweetland46951.6-5.6
Conservative Kim Clark44048.4+11.7
Majority293.2-17.3
Turnout 90940.9+1.8
Liberal Democrat hold Swing
Wadhurst (2) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Bob Standley1,069
Conservative Graham Wells1,052
Green Beth Martin390
Labour Bruce Meredeen185
Turnout 2,69638.4+6.4
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing
Willingdon (3) [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Independent Stephen Shing2,275
Independent Daniel Shing2,087
Conservative Ron Cussons890
Conservative Dick Broady812
Conservative Douglas Murray793
Liberal Democrat Andy Watkins614
Liberal Democrat Kay Dewick475
Green Izzy Riach280
Turnout 8,22657.1+8.4
Independent hold Swing
Independent gain from Liberal Democrat Swing
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat Swing

By-elections between 2007 and 2011

Uckfield New Town

A by-election was held in Uckfield New Town on 17 July 2008 after Liberal Democrat councillor Julia Hey resigned from the council. [15]

Uckfield New Town By-Election 17 July 2008 [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Carol Sweetland31147.4-16.0
Conservative John Carvey28944.1+7.5
UKIP Michael Pursglove568.5+8.5
Majority223.3-23.4
Turnout 65631.8+0.4
Liberal Democrat hold Swing

Alfriston

A by-election was held in Alfriston on 25 September 2008 after Conservative Keith Whitehead stood down from the council. [17] The seat was gained from the Conservatives by Liberal Democrat Andy Watkins with a 30-vote majority, defeating the former Conservative leader of Wealden council, Nigel Coltman who had been trying to return to the council. [17]

Alfriston By-Election 25 September 2008 [16] [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Democrat Andrew Watkins49551.6+23.4
Conservative Nigel Coltman46548.4-23.4
Majority303.2
Turnout 96048.0-0.5
Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative Swing

Heathfield North and Central

A by-election was held in Heathfield North and Central on 23 September 2010 after the death of Conservative councillor Niki Oakes in June 2010. [18]

Heathfield North and Central By-Election 23 September 2010 [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Peter Newnham80269.2-2.5
Liberal Democrat Jim Benson35730.8+2.5
Majority44538.4
Turnout 1,15919.4-13.8
Conservative hold Swing

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