2003 Wealden District Council election

2003 UK local government election May 2020 December 2013 thumb|300px|right|Map of the results of the 2003 Wealden council election. Conservatives in blue, Liberal Democrats in yellow and independents in grey. An election was held on 1 May 2003 to elect members of Wealden District Council in East Sussex, England. The whole council was up for election with boundary changes since the last election in 1999 reducing the number of seats by 3.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/vote2003/locals/html/311.stm Local elections BBC News 22 December 2011 The Conservative Party stayed in overall control of the council.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1429056/Local-council-election-results.html Local council election results 3 May 2003 The Daily Telegraph 23 December 2011 Background At the last election in 1999 the Conservatives won 34 seats, compared to 22 for the Liberal Democrats and 2 independents.http://www.theargus.co.uk/archive/2003/04/16/The+Argus+Archive/6738163.Wealden_Council/ Wealden Council 16 April 2003 The Argus 23 December 2011 In November 2003 the Conservatives gained 2 seats from the Liberal Democrats in a by-election in Uckfield,https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/nov/30/localgovernment.uk Labour regains Burnley 30 November 2001 The Guardian 23 December 2011 but the Liberal Democrats took one seat back in the same ward in a June 2002 by-election.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2002/jun/28/byelections.uk East Enders desert BNP 28 June 2002 The Guardian 23 December 2011 The Liberal Democrats also lost seats after 2 Hailsham councillors, Nick and Madeline Ellwood, were expelled from the party, and a further 2, John Glover and Ian Haffenden, resigned from the party in protest.http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/rift_in_libdems_1_958822 Rift in LibDems 7 November 2002 Sussex Express 23 December 2011 1 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120601054740/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/rift_in_libdems_1_958822 dead The 4 councillors who resigned formed a Wealden Independents party, while the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, Allan Thurley, stepped down over the expulsions and was succeeded by Eddie Rice.http://www.theargus.co.uk/archive/2002/11/07/The+Argus+Archive/6748640.Ousted_councillors_start_own_party/ Ousted councillors start own party 7 November 2002 The Argus 23 December 2011 A total of 133 candidates stood for the 55 seats in 35 wards being contested, after boundary changes reduced the number of seats from 58.http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/power_balance_stays_the_same_1_965354 Power balance stays the same 8 May 2003 Sussex Express 23 December 2011 1 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120601055143/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/power_balance_stays_the_same_1_965354 dead The changes increased the number of seats in Crowborough and Uckfield, while combining some of the rural seats. Campaign A major issue at the election was council tax after it increased by 18%, 5.1% of which was due to Wealden Council. The Conservatives blamed the increase on the government providing a poor grant to the council, while the Liberal Democrats called for the council tax to be replaced by a local income tax. Another issue was housing with the Conservatives called for more land to be released for low cost housing, but the Liberal Democrats attacked the number of houses to be built, saying the infrastructure needed to be improved first. Both the Labour party and local independents also campaigned against the 1,300 houses to be built in Hailsham, with The Independents saying more houses should be built in the north of the council area. The Conservatives said they would tackle littering and continue the household recycling scheme, while the Liberal Democrats called for policing to be improved and for the council to be modernised. Meanwhile, Labour aimed to win their first seat on the council in Uckfield and called for the council to abolish the reduction in council tax for second homes.http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/labour_looks_for_a_gain_1_963904 Labour looks for a gain 24 April 2003 Sussex Express 23 December 2011 1 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120601054933/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/labour_looks_for_a_gain_1_963904 dead Election result The Conservatives stayed in control of the council with 34 seats, while the Liberal Democrats took 15 seats and independents won 6.http://www.theargus.co.uk/archive/2003/05/02/Brighton+Hove+Archive/5112007.Wealden_District_Council__Con_hold/ Wealden District Council: Con hold 2 May 2003 The Argus 23 December 2011 Few seats changed parties, with the Conservatives keeping a 13-seat majority. The changes that did happen included the Liberal Democrat group leader Eddie Rice losing his seat in Rotherfield and the Liberal Democrats were also defeated in Polegate South, where Ivy Scarborough, a Residents Association candidate was successful.http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/new_faces_on_council_1_965357 New faces on council 8 May 2003 Sussex Express 23 December 2011 1 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120601055203/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/new_faces_on_council_1_965357 dead Independents were also successful in Crowborough and Hailsham, while Labour failed to take any seats. Overall turnout at the election was 35%, up from 33.5% in 1999.http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/tories_keep_control_1_965342 Tories keep control 8 May 2003 Sussex Express 23 December 2011 1 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120601055003/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/tories_keep_control_1_965342 dead Wealden local election result 2003http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Your_Council/Democracy/Voting_and_Elections/Election_Results/Democracy_Election_Results.aspx District Council election Wealden District Council 22 December 2011 14 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111114112319/http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Your_Council/Democracy/Voting_and_Elections/Election_Results/Democracy_Election_Results.aspx dead Conservative Party (UK) 34 -1 61.8 49.4 31,769 Liberal Democrats (UK) 15 -2 27.3 35.0 22,515 Independent (politician) 6 0 10.9 9.5 6,142 Labour Party (UK) 0 0 0 3.9 2,534 Green Party of England and Wales 0 0 0 1.9 1,246 UK Independence Party 0 0 0 0.2 137 3 Conservative candidates were unopposed at the election. Ward results Alfriston Conservative Party (UK) Keith Whitehead 673 67.3 Liberal Democrats (UK) Caroline Adcock 327 32.7 346 34.6 1,000 49.5 Buxted and Maresfield (2) Conservative Party (UK) Patricia Kennedy 904 Conservative Party (UK) Norman Buck 862 Green Party of England and Wales Peter Selby 357 Independent (politician) Ken Ogden 314 Liberal Democrats (UK) Graham Morgan 293 2,730 36.2 Chiddingly and East Hoathly Conservative Party (UK) Sylvia Tidy unopposed Cross-in-Hand/Five Ashes Conservative Party (UK) Jonica Fox 511 69.0 Liberal Democrats (UK) Michael Bryant 177 23.9 Green Party of England and Wales Jennifer Evans 53 7.2 334 45.1 741 38.2 Crowborough East (2) Liberal Democrats (UK) Carolyn Clark 555 Liberal Democrats (UK) Ian Mein 540 Conservative Party (UK) Anthony Edwards 422 Conservative Party (UK) Neil Waller 408 Labour Party (UK) Derek Sivers 118 2,043 27.5 Crowborough Jarvis Brook Independent (politician) Ian McKirgan 222 39.0 Liberal Democrats (UK) Peter Bucklitsch 221 38.8 Conservative Party (UK) Brian Hewitt 126 22.1 1 0.2 569 28.8 Crowborough North (2) Independent (politician) Chantal Wilson 1,038 Conservative Party (UK) Hector Munro 671 Liberal Democrats (UK) Nigel Mahony 328 Labour Party (UK) Sonja Le Vay 201 Independent (politician) Michael Wallman 131 2,369 35.8 Crowborough St Johns Conservative Party (UK) Richard Broughton-Tompkins 458 75.3 Liberal Democrats (UK) Hilary Lyon 103 16.9 Labour Party (UK) Jean McCarthy 47 7.7 355 58.4 608 32.0 Crowborough West (2) Conservative Party (UK) Diane Phillips 814 Conservative Party (UK) Antony Quin 812 Liberal Democrats (UK) Edward Willis 394 Labour Party (UK) Brendan Clegg 238 2,258 32.2 Danehill/Fletching/Nutley (2) Conservative Party (UK) Sylvia Martin 1,052 Conservative Party (UK) Bernard Brown 1,024 Liberal Democrats (UK) John Stevens 571 2,647 39.6 East Dean Conservative Party (UK) Brian West 612 67.8 Liberal Democrats (UK) Robert Hillman 290 32.2 322 35.6 902 46.9 Forest Row (2) Conservative Party (UK) Rowena Moore 708 Conservative Party (UK) Raymond Parsons 668 Liberal Democrats (UK) Linda Graham 526 Labour Party (UK) Norma McNamara 270 2,172 33.5 Framfield Conservative Party (UK) John Gore 563 64.9 Liberal Democrats (UK) Susanna Mockridge 168 19.4 UK Independence Party Keith Riddle 137 15.8 395 45.5 868 42.2 Frant/Withyham (2) Conservative Party (UK) Christopher Abergavenny 827 Conservative Party (UK) Lynda Myers 822 Liberal Democrats (UK) Briony Taylor 431 Green Party of England and Wales Keith Obbard 404 Labour Party (UK) Michael Clare 179 2,663 38.6 Hailsham Central & North (2) Liberal Democrats (UK) Paul Holbrook 494 Liberal Democrats (UK) Laura Murphy 434 Conservative Party (UK) Richard West 425 Conservative Party (UK) John Ball 419 Independent (politician) John Glover 348 Independent (politician) Madeleine Ellwood 344 Labour Party (UK) Steven Jordan 146 2,610 32.1 Hailsham East Conservative Party (UK) Nigel Coltman 170 33.7 Liberal Democrats (UK) Brian Cock 128 25.3 Labour Party (UK) Dudley Rose 113 22.4 Independent (politician) William Crittenden 94 18.6 42 8.4 505 26.6 Hailsham South and West (3) Independent (politician) Geoffrey Rowe 713 Independent (politician) Jonathan Ellwood 702 Independent (politician) Ian Haffenden 685 Liberal Democrats (UK) Sharon Cottingham 572 Conservative Party (UK) Sybil Bentley 567 Liberal Democrats (UK) Edward Powell 554 Liberal Democrats (UK) Gavin Blake-Coggins 551 Conservative Party (UK) Jeffery Bentley-Astor 524 Conservative Party (UK) John Kent 511 5,379 28.7 Hartfield Conservative Party (UK) Jeremy Hollins unopposed Heathfield East Conservative Party (UK) Janice Dunk 443 69.9 Liberal Democrats (UK) John Evans 191 30.1 252 39.8 634 34.8 Heathfield North and Central (3) Conservative Party (UK) Richard Angel 1,082 Conservative Party (UK) Margaret Kirkpatrick 1,063 Conservative Party (UK) Veronica Oakes 996 Liberal Democrats (UK) David Hall 447 Green Party of England and Wales Timothy Rayner 432 4,020 28.2 Hellingly (2) Liberal Democrats (UK) John Blake 817 Liberal Democrats (UK) David White 732 Conservative Party (UK) Barby Dashwood-Hall 583 Conservative Party (UK) Brian Smith 528 2,660 36.9 Herstmonceux Conservative Party (UK) Andrew Long 477 63.1 Liberal Democrats (UK) Graham Love 279 36.9 198 26.2 756 36.5 Horam Conservative Party (UK) Susan Stedman 381 56.9 Liberal Democrats (UK) Richard Benson 289 43.1 92 13.8 670 33.2 Mayfield Conservative Party (UK) Brian Redman 459 54.3 Liberal Democrats (UK) Allan Thurley 387 45.7 72 8.6 846 41.7 Ninfield and Hooe with Wartling Conservative Party (UK) Pamela Doodes unopposed Pevensey and Westham (3) Conservative Party (UK) Dianne Dear 1,245 Conservative Party (UK) John Vincent 1,233 Conservative Party (UK) Linda McKeever 1,135 Liberal Democrats (UK) Laura Parker 793 Liberal Democrats (UK) Christine Thomas 781 5,187 29.7 Polegate North (2) Liberal Democrats (UK) Roy Martin 888 Liberal Democrats (UK) Christina Berry 802 Independent (politician) Gerald Carter 478 Independent (politician) John Harmer 453 Conservative Party (UK) Anne Hampson 160 Conservative Party (UK) Michael Hampson 152 2,933 37.7 Polegate South Independent (politician) Ivy Scarborough 349 45.7 Liberal Democrats (UK) Patrick Trowell 241 31.6 Conservative Party (UK) Michael Richards 173 22.7 108 14.1 763 38.7 Rotherfield Conservative Party (UK) David Logan 379 47.4 Liberal Democrats (UK) Edwin Rice 365 45.7 Independent (politician) David Heritage 55 6.9 14 1.7 799 41.7 Uckfield Central Conservative Party (UK) Claire Dowling 425 52.7 Liberal Democrats (UK) Michael Cooper 308 38.2 Labour Party (UK) Eileen Wolley 73 9.1 117 14.5 806 35.1 Uckfield New Town Liberal Democrats (UK) Ian Nottage 339 54.2 Labour Party (UK) Ian Smith 144 23.0 Conservative Party (UK) Daphne Mainprice 143 22.8 195 31.2 626 31.0 Uckfield North (2) Liberal Democrats (UK) Paul Sparks 632 Liberal Democrats (UK) Alan Whittaker 520 Conservative Party (UK) Michael Heap 356 Labour Party (UK) Duncan Bennett 250 Labour Party (UK) Leonard Ashby 246 2,004 27.8 Uckfield Ridgewood Liberal Democrats (UK) Anthony Parker 483 57.2 Conservative Party (UK) Silvia Buck 310 36.7 Labour Party (UK) Jane 'Espinasse 51 6.0 173 20.5 844 39.1 Wadhurst (2) Conservative Party (UK) Anna Monaghan 767 Conservative Party (UK) Robert Hodgson 734 Liberal Democrats (UK) Emma Sanderson-Nash 395 Liberal Democrats (UK) Rosalyn Bucklitsch 324 Labour Party (UK) Jane Zacharzewski 144 2,364 32.0 Willingdon (3) Liberal Democrats (UK) Stephen Shing 1,770 Liberal Democrats (UK) Anthony Seabrook 1,559 Liberal Democrats (UK) Andrew Watkins 1,516 Conservative Party (UK) David Burtenshaw 1,043 Conservative Party (UK) Guy Woodford 1,000 Conservative Party (UK) Raymond Ingram 949 Independent (politician) Margaret Piper 216 Labour Party (UK) Patricia Brinson 123 Labour Party (UK) Helen Sedgewick 114 Labour Party (UK) Gillian Roles 77 8,367 48.7 By-elections between 2003 and 2007 Uckfield Ridgewood A by-election was held in Uckfield Ridgewood on 16 September 2004 and was held for the Liberal Democrats by Robert Sweetland with a 185-vote majority.http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Your_Council/Democracy/Voting_and_Elections/Election_Results/Democracy_Election_Results.aspx Election Results Wealden District Council 23 December 2011 14 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111114112319/http://www.wealden.gov.uk/Wealden/Your_Council/Democracy/Voting_and_Elections/Election_Results/Democracy_Election_Results.aspx deadhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/sep/17/thefarright.uk BNP wins first London seat since 1993 17 September 2004 The Guardian 23 December 2011 Uckfield Ridgewood By-Election 16 September 2004 Liberal Democrats (UK) Robert Sweetland 380 60.4 +3.2 Conservative Party (UK) Jacob Vince 195 31.0 -5.7 Labour Party (UK) Leonard Ashby 54 8.6 +2.6 185 29.4 +8.9 629 28.6 +8.1 Liberal Democrats (UK) Pevensey and Westham A by-election was held in Pevensey and Westham on 29 September 2005 after the death of the previous councillor John Vincent.http://www.theargus.co.uk/archive/2005/07/13/The+Argus+Archive/6802605.Councillor_dies_of_a_heart_attack/ Councillor dies of a heart attack 13 July 2005 The Argus 23 December 2011 The seat was held for the Conservatives by Kevin Balsdon with a 760-vote majority.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/sep/30/byelections.uk1 SNP triumphs in Fife 30 September 2005 The Guardian 23 December 2011 Pevensey and Westham By-Election 29 September 2005 Conservative Party (UK) Kevin Balsdon 1,229 66.7 +5.6 Liberal Democrats (UK) Christine Thomas 469 25.5 -13.4 Labour Party (UK) Robert Walker 143 7.8 +7.8 760 41.2 1,841 25.7 -4.0 Conservative Party (UK) Crowborough North A by-election was held in Crowborough North on 6 April 2006 and was held for the Conservatives by Timothy Tyler with a 279-vote majority.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/apr/07/byelections.uk Lib Dems and Labour make byelection gains 7 April 2006 The Guardian 23 December 2011 Crowborough North By-Election 6 April 2006 Conservative Party (UK) Timothy Tyler 417 52.5 +22.5 Liberal Democrats (UK) Peter Bucklitsch 138 17.4 +2.7 Independent (politician) Paul Scott 103 13.0 -33.4 Labour Party (UK) Jean McCarthy 94 11.8 +2.8 Independent (politician) Colin Stocks 43 5.4 +5.4 279 35.1 795 20.1 -15.7 Conservative Party (UK) Uckfield New Town A by-election was held in Uckfield New Town on 29 June 2006 after the death of the Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Nottage.http://www.theargus.co.uk/archive/2006/04/27/The+Argus+Archive/6811899.Friends_and_family_pay_tribute_to__Pat_the_Hat_/ Friends and family pay tribute to 'Pat the Hat' 27 April 2006 The Argus 23 December 2011 The seat was held for the Liberal Democrats by Julia Hey with a 170-vote majority.http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/lib_dems_hold_council_seats_1_955467 Lib Dems hold council seats 30 June 2006 Sussex Express 23 December 2011 1 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120601055310/http://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/local/lib_dems_hold_council_seats_1_955467 dead Uckfield New Town By-Election 29 June 2006 Liberal Democrats (UK) Julia Hey 381 57.6 +3.4 Conservative Party (UK) Marion Rowland 211 31.9 +9.1 Green Party of England and Wales Samantha Bryant 69 10.4 +10.4 170 25.7 -5.5 661 32.5 +1.5 Liberal Democrats (UK) References Category:2003 English local elections 2003 Category:2000s in East Sussex