St Edmundsbury Borough Council elections

Local government elections in Suffolk, England

St Edmundsbury Borough Council in Suffolk, England, was elected every four years. After the last boundary changes in 2003, 45 councillors were elected from 31 wards. The council was abolished in 2019, with the area becoming part of West Suffolk.

## Political control

[edit]

From the first election to the council in 1973 until its abolition in 2019, political control of the council was held by the following parties:[1][2]

Party in control | Years

|

| Conservative | 1973–1991
| No overall control | 1991–1995
| Labour | 1995–1999
| Conservative | 1999–2001
| No overall control | 2001–2003
| Conservative | 2003–2019

### Leadership

[edit]

The leaders of the council from 1995 until 2019 were:[3]

Councillor | Party | From | To

|
|
|

Gerry Kiernan[4] |  | Labour | 1995 | May 1999
Mike Brundle[5] |  | Conservative | May 1999 | 2000
Derek Redhead[6] |  | Conservative | 2000 | Apr 2002
Ray Nowak[7][8] |  | Labour | May 2002 | 2003
John Griffiths[9] |  | Conservative | May 2003 | 31 Mar 2019

John Griffiths served as leader of the West Suffolk shadow authority for part of the year prior to the new council coming into effect in 2019.[10] He subsequently became the first leader of West Suffolk District Council after the first elections to the new council in May 2019.[11]

## Council elections

[edit]

* 1973 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 1976 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 1979 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election (New ward boundaries)[12]
* 1983 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 1987 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 1991 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election (Borough boundary changes took place but the number of seats remained the same)[13]
* 1995 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 1999 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 2003 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election (New ward boundaries)[14]
* 2007 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 2011 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election
* 2015 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election

## Results maps

[edit]

* 2003 results map

* 2007 results map

* 2011 results map

* 2015 results map

## By-election results

[edit]

### 1995-1999

[edit]

Haverhill Clements By-Election 5 September 1996  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour |  | 381  | 76.2  |
| Conservative |  | 61  | 12.2  |
| Liberal Democrats |  | 58  | 11.6  |
Majority | 320  | 64.0  |
Turnout | 500  | 20.0  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
Ixworth By-Election 21 November 1996  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative |  | 413  | 43.4  |
| Liberal Democrats |  | 289  | 30.4  |
| Labour |  | 250  | 26.3  |
Majority | 124  | 13.0  |
Turnout | 952  | 44.0  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Ixworth By-Election 6 March 1997  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative |  | 475  | 57.7  |
| Liberal Democrats |  | 196  | 23.8  |
| Labour |  | 152  | 18.5  |
Majority | 279  | 33.9  |
Turnout | 823  | 37.6  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Kedington By-Election 23 April 1998  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour |  | 231  | 41.1  |
| Conservative |  | 159  | 28.3  |
| Independent |  | 89  | 15.8  |
| Liberal Democrats |  | 83  | 14.8  |
Majority | 72  | 12.8  |
Turnout | 562  | 41.0  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
Stanton By-Election 10 September 1998  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative |  | 423  | 55.3  | +22.1
| Labour |  | 275  | 35.9  | −1.4
| Liberal Democrats |  | 67  | 8.8  | −6.5
Majority | 148  | 19.4  |
Turnout | 765  | 34.0  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing |  |

### 1999-2003

[edit]

St Olave's By-Election 7 June 2001  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour |  | 1,106  | 72.1  |
| Conservative |  | 300  | 19.6  |
| Independent |  | 128  | 8.3  |
Majority | 806  | 52.5  |
Turnout | 1,534  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
Westgate By-Election 25 April 2002  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative |  | 423  | 44.0  | −5.4
| Liberal Democrats |  | 231  | 24.0  | +9.9
| Labour |  | 230  | 23.9  | −12.5
| Green |  | 78  | 8.1  | +8.1
Majority | 192  | 20.0  |
Turnout | 962  | 35.0  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Honington By-Election 31 October 2002[15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Hale  | 272  | 69.7  | −1.5
| Liberal Democrats |  | 118  | 30.3  | +30.3
Majority | 154  | 39.4  |
Turnout | 390  | 32.9  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### 2003-2007

[edit]

Risbygate By-Election 20 May 2004[16] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Independent | Melinda Nettleton  | 293  | 34.1  | −6.1
| Conservative | Paul Simner  | 278  | 32.3  | +1.2
| Labour | Ray Nowak  | 169  | 19.7  | −9.0
| Green | Mandy Leathers  | 85  | 9.9  | +9.9
| Independent | Brian Lockwood  | 35  | 4.1  | +4.1
Majority | 15  | 1.8  |
Turnout | 860  | 26.7  |
| Independent gain from Conservative | Swing |  |
Haverhill East By-Election 10 June 2004[17] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Gordon Cox  | 520  | 35.9  | −12.4
| Independent | Mabon Dane  | 376  | 26.0  | +26.0
| Labour | George Hatchell  | 363  | 25.1  | −26.6
| Liberal Democrats | Leslie Warmington  | 189  | 13.0  | +13.0
Majority | 114  | 9.9  |
Turnout | 1,448  | 28.3  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing |  |
Barningham By-Election 9 September 2004  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative |  | unopposed  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Haverhill South By-Election 5 May 2005  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour |  | 746  | 43.8  |
| Conservative |  | 602  | 35.3  |
| Liberal Democrats |  | 357  | 20.9  |
Majority | 144  | 8.5  |
Turnout | 1,705  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
Westgate By-Election 16 February 2006  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Lynsey Alexander  | 500  | 54.0  | +16.2
| Liberal Democrats | David Chappell  | 311  | 33.6  | +9.0
| Green | Ritchie Tennant  | 64  | 6.9  | +6.9
| UKIP | James Lumley  | 50  | 5.4  | +5.4
Majority | 189  | 20.4  |
Turnout | 925  | 27.4  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Kedington By-Election 15 June 2006[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Marion Rushbrook  | 350  | 53.8  | −9.1
| Liberal Democrats | Terry McNally  | 250  | 38.4  | +38.4
| Labour | Michael Simpkin  | 51  | 7.8  | −29.3
Majority | 100  | 15.4  |
Turnout | 651  | 43.0  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### 2007-2011

[edit]

Haverhill North By-Election 20 March 2008[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tim Marks  | 426  | 57.3  | +2.5
| Labour | Patrick Hanlon  | 255  | 34.3  | +2.1
| UKIP | Arthur Nightingale  | 62  | 8.3  | +8.3
Majority | 171  | 23.0  |
Turnout | 743  | 13.8  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### 2011-2015

[edit]

Risbygate By-Election 15 November 2012[20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Green | Julia Wakelam  | 394  | 51.8  | +30.1
| Conservative | Susan Glossop  | 239  | 31.4  | +6.4
| Labour | Cliff Hind  | 128  | 16.8  | +4.0
Majority | 155  | 20.4  |
Turnout | 761  |  |
| Green gain from Conservative | Swing |  |
Abbeygate By-Election 2 May 2013[21] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Charlotte Howard  | 562  | 44.5  | −4.5
| Green | Philippa Judd  | 399  | 31.6  | +9.8
| Labour | Quentin Cornish  | 154  | 12.2  | −1.5
| Liberal Democrats | Judith Broadway  | 149  | 11.8  | −3.6
Majority | 163  | 12.9  |
Turnout | 1,264  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Bardwell By-Election 5 September 2013[22] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Paula Wade  | 419  | 66.1  | −10.7
| UKIP | James Lumley  | 150  | 23.7  | +0.5
| Labour | Thomas Stebbing  | 65  | 10.3  | +10.3
Majority | 269  | 42.4  |
Turnout | 634  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Abbeygate By-Election 3 October 2013[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Joanna Rayner  | 359  | 42.8  | −1.7
| Green | Mark Ereira-Guyer | 236  | 28.1  | −3.5
| UKIP | Clive Reason  | 85  | 10.1  | +10.1
| Liberal Democrats | Chris Lale  | 83  | 9.9  | −1.9
| Labour | Quentin Cornish  | 76  | 9.1  | −3.1
Majority | 123  | 14.7  |
Turnout | 839  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Haverhill East By-Election 9 January 2014  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| UKIP | Tony Brown  | 529  | 54.0  | +54.0
| Labour | Pat Hanlon  | 240  | 24.5  | −12.7
| Conservative | David Roach  | 157  | 16.0  | −31.9
| Liberal Democrats | Ken Rolph  | 54  | 5.5  | −9.4
Majority | 289  | 29.5  |
Turnout | 980  | 16.4  |
| UKIP gain from Conservative | Swing |  |

### 2015-2019

[edit]

Haverhill North By-Election 5 May 2016[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| UKIP | Anthony Williams  | 563  | 37.3  | +1.4
| Labour | Maureen Byrne  | 460  | 30.5  | +5.5
| Conservative | Quillon Fox  | 409  | 27.1  | −12.0
| Liberal Democrats | Kenneth Rolph  | 78  | 5.2  | +5.2
Majority | 103  | 6.8  |
Turnout | 1,510  |  |
| UKIP gain from Conservative | Swing |  |
Bardwell By-Election 24 November 2016[25] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Andrew Smith  | N/A  | N/A  | N/A
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Moreton Hall By-Election 15 December 2016[26] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Independent | Trevor Beckwith  | 550  | 56.0  | +22.4
| Conservative | Sue Bill  | 213  | 21.7  | −22.1
| Liberal Democrats | Chris Lale  | 102  | 10.4  | +10.4
| Labour | Alex Griffin  | 71  | 7.2  | −15.4
| UKIP | Julian Flood  | 47  | 4.8  | +4.8
Majority | 337  | 34.3  |
Turnout | 983  |  |
| Independent gain from Conservative | Swing |  |
Chedburgh By-Election 28 September 2017[27] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Mike Chester  | 372  | 65.8  | N/A
| Labour | Gary Dillon  | 128  | 22.7  | N/A
| Liberal Democrats | Ian Chapman  | 65  | 11.5  | N/A
Majority | 244  | 43.2  |
Turnout | 565  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Hundon By-Election 28 September 2017[28] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Mary Evans  | 357  | 80.6  | +17.2
| Liberal Democrats | Alex Rolph  | 86  | 19.4  | +19.4
Majority | 271  | 61.2  |
Turnout | 443  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
St Olaves By-Election 12 April 2018[29] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Max Clarke  | 365  | 58.6  | +27.0
| Conservative | Tom Murray  | 150  | 24.1  | −6.5
| Independent | Liam Byrne  | 77  | 12.4  | +12.4
| Liberal Democrats | Helen Korfanty  | 31  | 5.0  | +5.0
Majority | 215  | 34.5  |
Turnout | 623  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
Haverhill East By-Election 3 May 2018[30] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robin Pilley  | 577  | 47.4  | +13.8
| Labour | David Smith  | 490  | 40.2  | +12.7
| Liberal Democrats | Saoirse O'Suilleabhán  | 151  | 12.4  | +12.4
Majority | 87  | 7.1  |
Turnout | 1,218  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Haverhill North By-Election 3 May 2018[31] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Elaine McManus  | 752  | 56.0  | +16.9
| Labour | Martin Jerram  | 444  | 33.0  | +2.5
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Lord  | 148  | 11.0  | +5.8
Majority | 308  | 22.9  |
Turnout | 1,344  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "St Edmundsbury". BBC News Online. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
2. ^ "Compositions Calculator". The Elections Centre. University of Exeter. Retrieved 21 May 2025. (Put "St Edmundsbury" in search box to see specific results.)
3. ^ "Council minutes". West Suffolk Council. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
4. ^ "Single vote sways council majority". Haverhill Echo. 13 May 1999. p. 3. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
5. ^ Deex, John (14 May 1999). "Controversial first step by the Tories". Bury Free Press. p. 7. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
6. ^ "Leader of council insulted by the need for a 'younger face'". Haverhill Weekly News. 25 April 2002. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
7. ^ "Council elects mayor and new leader". Haverhill Weekly News. 23 May 2002. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
8. ^ Derrick, Paul (24 May 2019). "Tributes paid to 'giant' of Bury St Edmunds politics Ray Nowak who fought for social justice and change". Suffolk News. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
9. ^ Carter, Dolly (5 April 2023). "John Griffiths to step down as West Suffolk Council leader". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
10. ^ "Shadow Council minutes, 18 December 2018". West Suffolk Council. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
11. ^ Steward, Michael (22 May 2019). "History is made as newly-formed West Suffolk Council meets for the first time". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
12. ^ The Borough of St Edmundsbury (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978
13. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The Essex and Suffolk (County Boundaries) Order 1989. Retrieved on 5 November 2015.
14. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The Borough of St Edmundsbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2001. Retrieved on 4 October 2015.
15. ^ "Tory win bucks Labour trend". guardian.co.uk. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
16. ^ "Tories maintain balance in byelections". guardian.co.uk. 21 May 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
17. ^ "Tories make gains in byelections". guardian.co.uk. 18 June 2004. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
18. ^ "Labour loses Scottish council stronghold". guardian.co.uk. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
19. ^ "St Edmundsbury Borough Council Haverhill North by-election 20 March 2008". St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
20. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Risbygate Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
21. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Abbeygate Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
22. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Bardwell Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
23. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Abbeygate Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
24. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Haverhill North Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
25. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Bardwell North Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
26. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Moreton Hall Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
27. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Chedburgh Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
28. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Hundon Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
29. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — St Olaves Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
30. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Haverhill East Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
31. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Haverhill North Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2024.

* By-election results

## External links

[edit]

* St Edmundsbury Council

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St Edmundsbury Borough Council|

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West Suffolk County Council|

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