2023 Derbyshire Dales District Council election

The 2023 Derbyshire Dales District Council election was held on 4 May 2023 to elect all 34 councillors for Derbyshire Dales District Council. This was on the same day as other local elections.

2023 Derbyshire Dales District Council election
4 May 2023 (2023-05-04)
All 34 seats to Derbyshire Dales District Council
18 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
  Blank Blank Blank
Leader Steve Flitter Susan Hobson[1] Mike Ratcliffe (retired)
Party Liberal Democrats Conservative Labour
Last election 8 seats, 23.6% 20 seats, 40.1% 6 seats, 26.2%
Seats won 12 11 6
Seat change Increase 4 Decrease 9 0
Popular vote 15,653 15,070 9,536
Percentage 34.2 33.0 20.9
Swing Increase 10.2 Decrease 7.1 Decrease 5.3
  Fourth party Fifth party
  Blank Blank
Leader Neil Buttle
Party Green Independent
Last election 2 seats, 5.3% 3 seats, 3.7%
Seats won 4 1
Seat change Increase 2 Decrease 2
Popular vote 2,809 2,491
Percentage 6.1 5.5
Swing Increase 0.8 Increase 1.8
Map showing the composition of Derbyshire Dales District Council following the election. Striped wards have mixed representation.
Leader before election

Susan Hobson (acting)
Conservative
No overall control

 Leader after election

Steve Flitter
Liberal Democrat
No overall control

For the first time since 1995, the Conservative Party failed to win a majority of seats. Instead, the Liberal Democrats won the largest number of seats, beating the Conservatives by one seat, the same margin as in 1995, but again failing to win a majority of their own.[2]

This was the first election to the Derbyshire Dales District Council to be held under the current ward boundaries. The total number of councillors was reduced from 39 to 34, and the total number of wards was reduced from 25 to 21. Consequently, the boundaries of most of the wards were different compared to those which had been in use since the 2003 election. The arrangements for each new ward are described below.[3]

Prior to the election the council was under no overall control, with the majority held by the Conservatives following the 2019 election having been lost through defections and resignations. Less than two months before the election the Conservative leader, Garry Purdy, who had led the council since 2019, was suspended and then resigned over private promises made to a local tourist attraction. Susan Hobson took over as Conservative leader and became acting leader of the council, with formal appointment of a new leader of the council deferred until after the election.[4] Immediately before the election the council was being run by a coalition comprising the Conservatives, the SDP councillor and three of the independent councillors.[5]

A "progressive alliance" coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Greens subsequently formed to take control of the council, with Liberal Democrat group leader Steve Flitter being appointed leader of the council at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2023.[6][7]

Ward results

In the instance in which the boundaries of a ward are identical to those in the 2019 election, the percentage changes have been calculated relative to the results in that ward from 2019. In the instance in which a ward is broadly coterminous with a previous ward or has only been slightly expanded, the percentage change is calculated in the same way from the corresponding ward in 2019, but in these instances this value is only indicative and some changes to party political support will be a result of the boundary changes. The results in each ward were as follows:[8][9]

Ashbourne North

Ashbourne North was still represented by two councillors and was slightly expanded.

Ashbourne North (2 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Peter Dobbs 653 46.9 Increase 16.6
Conservative Stuart Lees 575 41.3 Decrease 6.8
Conservative Sue Bull 561 40.3 Decrease 8.2
Liberal Democrats Monty Stuart-Monteith 528 37.9 Increase 13.3
Labour Eileen Ashley 246 17.7 Decrease 0.8
Majority 14 0.5
Turnout 1,393 41
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing Increase 12.0
Conservative hold Swing

Ashbourne South

Ashbourne South was now represented by three councillors instead of two and was expanded.

Ashbourne South (3 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Rob Archer 1,101 52.5 Increase 13.5
Liberal Democrats Nick Wilton 884 42.1 New
Conservative Anthony Bates 857 40.8 Decrease 2.5
Conservative Tom Donnelly 820 39.1 Increase 1.7
Liberal Democrats Robin Shirtcliffe 794 37.8 Increase 5.4
Conservative Matthew Taylor 697 33.2 New
Labour Matt Ginnis 453 21.6 Increase 9.9
Majority 37 0.7
Turnout 2,099 39
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase6.2
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Conservative win

Bakewell

Bakewell was now represented by two councillors instead of three but remained geographically the same.

Bakewell (2 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Mark Wakeman 1,011 61.2 Decrease 5.8
Conservative Gareth Gee 581 35.2 Decrease 31.2
Labour Ben Carter 526 31.9 Increase 1.5
Green Nicola Peltell 307 18.6 New
Liberal Democrats Robert Court 178 10.8 New
Independent Rachel Elnaugh-Love 175 10.6 New
Liberal Democrats Patricia Wildgoose 166 10.1 New
Majority 55 1.9
Turnout 1,651 47
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 9.2
Conservative hold Swing

Bonsall and Winster

Bonsall and Winster was a new ward which was to be represented by one councillor. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Winster and South Darley, which was also represented by one councillor.

Bonsall & Winster (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Matthew Buckler 578 69.4 New
Conservative Chris Stait 255 30.6 New
Majority 323 38.8
Turnout 833 44
Green gain from Independent Swing Increase 83.3

Bradwell

Bradwell was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.

Bradwell (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Andy Nash 506 73.8 Increase 31.2
Conservative Chloe Sinker 180 26.2 Decrease 31.2
Majority 326 47.5
Turnout 686 44
Labour gain from Conservative Swing Increase 31.2

Brailsford

Brailsford was still represented by one councillor and was geographically the same.

Brailsford (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Geoff Bond 379 57.3 Decrease 22.6
Green Morgan Bryan 117 17.7 New
Labour Fraser McGuire 100 15.1 Decrease 5.0
Liberal Democrats Midge Dobbs 66 10.0 New
Majority 262 39.6
Turnout 662 39
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 20.2

Calver and Longstone

Calver and Longstone was a new ward which is to be represented by one councillor. It was predominantly formed of parishes from the old wards of Calver, and Litton and Longstone.

Calver & Longstone (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Kelda Boothroyd 441 54.6
Conservative Helen Froggatt 367 45.4
Majority 74 9.2
Turnout 808 45
Green win

Chatsworth

Chatsworth was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.

Chatsworth (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Susan Hobson 458 62.0 Decrease 12.0
Liberal Democrats Claire Cadogan 170 23.0 Increase 6.8
Green John Ward 111 15.0 New
Majority 288 39.0
Turnout 739 43
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 9.4

Cromford and Matlock Bath

Cromford and Matlock Bath was a new ward which is to be represented by one councillor. It was predominantly formed of parishes from the old ward of Masson.

Cromford & Matlock Bath (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Nick Whitehead 448 68.8
Conservative Joseph Pearce 203 31.2
Majority 245 37.6
Turnout 651 39
Labour win

Darley Dale

Darley Dale was still represented by three councillors and was slightly expanded.

Darley Dale (3 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats David Burton 1,104 54.7 Increase 29.9
Liberal Democrats Marilyn Franks 917 45.4 Increase 23.8
Liberal Democrats Rodger Shelley 761 37.7 Increase 23.8
Conservative Ann Elliott 642 31.8 Decrease 11.7
Conservative Dave Oakley 609 30.1 Decrease 9.4
Labour Sarah Halliwell 555 27.5 Increase 8.8
Conservative Richard Walsh 461 22.8 Decrease 14.8
Independent Andrew Statham 291 14.4 New
Majority 119 2.2
Turnout 2,020 42
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing Increase 21.3
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

Dovedale, Parwich and Brassington

Dovedale, Parwich and Brassington was a new ward which was to be represented by one councillor. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Dovedale and Parwich, which was also represented by one councillor.

Dovedale, Parwich & Brassington (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Walker 464 57.8 Decrease 15.9
Labour Kevin Welsh 120 14.9 Increase 2.2
Green Richard Rowlatt 119 14.8 New
Liberal Democrats Henry Jebb 100 12.5 Decrease 1.1
Majority 344 42.8
Turnout 803 44
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 9.1

Doveridge and Sudbury

Doveridge and Sudbury was still represented by one councillor and was geographically the same.

Doveridge & Sudbury (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Bointon 458 58.0 Increase 20.7
Independent Jacqueline Allison 331 42.0 Decrease 11.8
Majority
Turnout 789 44
Conservative gain from Independent Swing Increase 16.3

Hartington and Taddington

Hartington and Taddington was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.

Hartington & Taddington (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Chapman 391 62.7 Increase 2.9
Liberal Democrats Eleanor Nancolas 117 18.8 Increase 6.2
Green Catherine Handy 116 18.6 Increase 1.6
Majority 274 43.9
Turnout 624 37
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 1.7

Hathersage

Hathersage was a new ward which was to be represented by two councillors. It is broadly coterminous with the old ward of Hathersage and Eyam, which was also represented by two councillors.

Hathersage (2 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Peter O'Brien 1,387 76.0 Increase 34.7
Labour Simon Ripton 1,092 59.8 Increase 20.9
Conservative Jason Atkin 420 23.0 Decrease 15.6
Conservative Steve Bull 335 18.4 Decrease 15.4
Majority 672 20.8
Turnout 1,825 53
Independent gain from Labour Swing Increase 26.6
Labour hold Swing

Hulland

Hulland was still represented by one councillor and was slightly redrawn.

Hulland (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Dermot Murphy 395 51.4 Decrease 28.8
Labour Diane Fletcher 148 19.3 Decrease 0.5
SDP Richard Bright 145 18.9 New
Liberal Democrats Barbara Bowman 80 10.4 New
Majority 247 32.1
Turnout 768 44
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 14.2

Matlock East and Tansley

Matlock East and Tansley was a new ward which was to be represented by three councillors. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Matlock St. Giles, which was also represented by three councillors.

Matlock East and Tansley (3 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Stephen Flitter 1,215 67.7 Increase 14.7
Liberal Democrats Joanne Linthwaite 1,083 60.4 Increase 16.2
Liberal Democrats David Hughes 1,074 59.9 Increase 19.9
Labour Suqie Banwait 477 26.6 Increase 5.3
Conservative Danny Hopkinson 476 26.5 Decrease 1.6
Majority 597 13.8
Turnout 1,794 39
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase 20.0
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Matlock West

Matlock West was a new ward which was to be represented by three councillors. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Matlock All Saints, which was also represented by three councillors.

Matlock West (3 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Sue Burfoot 1,665 78.6 Increase 9.9
Liberal Democrats Martin Burfoot 1,526 72.0 Increase 10.0
Liberal Democrats Steve Wain 1,471 69.5 Increase 14.0
Labour John Weir 422 19.9 Increase 1.7
Conservative Rosemary Oakley 323 15.3 Decrease 10.5
Conservative Thomas Pearce 263 12.4 Decrease 3.5
Conservative Harvey Griffin 258 12.2 New
Majority 1,049 17.7
Turnout 2,118 46
Liberal Democrats hold Swing Increase 4.6
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Norbury

Norbury was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.

Norbury (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tony Morley 492 67.3 Decrease 15.6
Labour David Walker 123 16.8 Decrease 0.3
Green John Hill 116 15.9 New
Majority 369 50.5
Turnout 731 40
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 7.7

Tideswell

Tideswell was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.

Tideswell (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Neil Buttle 514 66.5 Increase 24.4
Conservative Harry Shirt 259 33.5 Decrease 1.0
Majority 255 33.0
Turnout 773 42
Green hold Swing Increase 12.7

Wirksworth

Wirksworth was still represented by three councillors and was slightly expanded.

Wirksworth (3 Seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Pete Slack 1,491 69.9 Increase 13.8
Labour Dawn Greatorex 1,454 68.2 Increase 8.6
Labour Lucy Peacock 1,375 64.5 Increase 10.4
Conservative Steven Kennel 567 26.6 Decrease 2.7
Conservative Paul Williamson 559 26.2 Increase 2.3
Conservative Tony Britner 554 26.0 New
Majority 808 13.5
Turnout 2,132 44
Labour hold Swing Decrease 0.5
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Youlgrave

Youlgrave was a new ward which was to be represented by one councillor. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Lathkill and Bradford, which was also represented by one councillor.

Youlgrave (1 Seat)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Laura Mellstrom 390 43.5 New
Independent Thomas Elliott 307 34.2 Decrease 51.8
Conservative John Pearce 200 22.3 New
Majority 83 9.3
Turnout 897 50
Green gain from Independent Swing Increase 47.7

[10]

References
    1. "Statement signed by all group leaders". Derbyshire Dales District Council. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
    2. "Complete list of results from Thursday's council elections". The Times. 6 May 1995.
    3. "Derbyshire Dales". The Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
    4. Bisknell, Eddie (10 March 2023). "Derbyshire Dales Tory council leader resigns after private Gypsy promise". Derbyshire Live. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
    5. "Your councillors by political grouping". Derbyshire Dales District Council. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
    6. "Progressive Alliance to run Dales councils". Derbyshire Dales District Council. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
    7. "Council minutes, 25 May 2023". Derbyshire Dales District Council. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
    8. Coyle, Simon (4 May 2023). "Derbyshire Dales local council elections 2023 results in full". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
    9. "District Council Elections - Thursday, 4th May, 2023". Derbyshire Dales District Council. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
    10. "Election results by wards, Derbyshire Dales District Council". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
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