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Local Election 2023 Blog
04/05/2023
You can see the final position in the Cherwell District here
Friday 6.00pm
The final four results are in and the final picture give Conservatives 20, Labour 12, Liberal Democrat 10, Green 3 and Independent 3. No one party has reached the magic number of 26 to control Cherwell. In the days to come we will find out what alliances might be formed.
The Liberal Democrats have held on to Launton and Otmoor where Julian Nedelcu has taken over from Angus Patrick.
Green Party Councillor Ian Middleton has held Kidlington West with 57% of the vote.
Deddington remains in Conservative hands with Andrew McHugh taking over from Hugo Brown.
The Liberal Democrats have retained Kidlington West. Lesley McLean stood this time. This had been Liberal Group Leader Katharine Tyson’s seat, but she has stood down this time.
Friday 5.00pm
The Conservatives have lost control of Cherwell District Council. With 6welve results announced and just four to go the Tories can not win enough seats to have a majority.
Currently, the Conservatives have twenty seats, Labour twelve, the Liberal Democrats ten, and the Greens and Independents three each.
David Hingley is a Liberal Democrat Councillor and the Deputy Leader of the Progressive Oxfordshire Alliance – which has been the official opposition at Cherwell. He told Banbury FM he is very pleased with the Liberal Democrats progress in the last couple of years. He wouldn’t be drawn on what deals might be done to form a coalition to run the Council, saying that his group would meet and decide on their approach.
Recent announcements have seen Nick Cotter re-elected for Bicester South and Ambrosden with 57% if the vote. Councillor Cotter had been Independent but now is a Liberal Democrat.
Douglas Webb has been re-elected for Cropredy, the Sibfords and Wroxton, holding the seat for the Conservatives.
Independent Harry Knight wins in Bicester West. The seat had been held by Fraser Webster, who was also Independent.
The Conservatives have held on to Fringford and Heyfords. This was the seat held by Deputy Leader Ian Corkin, but he has stood down this time. Nigel Simpson is the new councillor.
Friday 4.00pm
The last hour has bought a flurry of results all of which can be seen on our Live Results page.
Liberal Democrat Simon Lytton has taken Bicester North and Caversfield from the Conservatives with 40% of the vote (794). Tory Jason Slaymaker 676 votes (34%).
Former Tory finance chief Tony Illot has failed in his bid to get back on the Council for the Conservatives. He was beaten in the Banbury Hardwick ward by Labour’s Besmira Brasha. Mr Illot received 41% of the vote whilst Councillor Brasha took 46%. The turnout was 23.24%.
Becky Clarke has returned Banbury Cross and Neithrop to Labour control with 1058 votes (55%). The seat had been held by Hannah Banfield – the former Labour Councillor who became Independent and is now standing down as a district councillor.
The Banbury Calthorpe and Easington seat which had been held by long-serving Conservative Councillor Colin Clarke has been lost to Labour. Mr Clarke stood down this time and Labour’s Lynne Parsons turned the seat red with 43% of the vote. Deputy Town Mayor Fiaz Ahmed stood for the Conservatives but only received 37% of the vote. Around one-third of the electorate cast a vote.
Labour Group Leader Sean Woodcock’s old seat at Banbury Ruscote has been held for Labour by Isabel Creed.
Friday 3.05pm
Another Conservative loss. Tom Beckett has taken Bicester East for the Green Party with 843 votes (42%).
Friday 2.55pm
The Liberal Democrats have taken Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote from the Conservatives. Robert Pattenden received1540 votes (54%). Conservative David Bunn – who is the Chairman of Bloxham Parish Council – received 913 votes (32%).
Friday 2.45pm
Cherwell Labour Group Leader Sean Woodcock has been elected to represent Banbury Grimsbury and Hightown. He had 56% of the vote (1,030).
Friday 2.10pm
Leader of the Labour Group at Cherwell District Council Sean Woodcock tells Banbury FM: “Nationally the results for the Conservatives have been very bad. Hopefully we will see that represented here.
“We’ve had a lot of people saying they are coming out to support us and there’s a lot of people very unhappy with the Conservatives after the last 13 years.
“Locally people feel that the administration is tired and its time for a change.”
He added there was no point speculating on any potential alliances with other parties to take control at Cherwell at this early stage.
Friday 1.32pm
Returning officer Yvonne Rees has just announced that verification is now complete and the count is starting.
Friday 12.30pm
Verification if the ballot boxes is continuing. Meanwhile a large number of the candidates and their supporters are at the Sports Centre. One Liberal Democrat candidate has just told Banbury FM he is feeling positive as he’s had very good feedback on the doorstep. The seat in the south of the district has been held by a Conservatives.
Friday 10.45am
Counting staff arrived at Spiceball Leisure Centre and began the verification of the votes at around 9.30am. Cherwell District Council have just tweeted to say the process is well underway.
Thursday 10pm
The polls have now closed. Ballot boxes will be taken to Spiceball Sports Centre overnight. On Friday morning the boxes will be opened and the contents validated. The count is then expected to begin at around lunchtime. Banbury FM will have reporters at the count to bring you the latest breaking news as it happens, here and on-air.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam