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

TBD

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]

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.

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 46.1 Increase 16.8
Conservative Stuart Lees 575 44.3 Decrease 7.2
Conservative Sue Bull 561
Liberal Democrats Monty Stuart-Monteith 528
Labour Eileen Ashley 246 9.6 Decrease 9.5
Majority 14 0.5
Turnout 2563 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 49.6 Increase 11.4
Liberal Democrats Nick Wilton 884
Conservative Anthony Bates 857 42.3 Decrease 0.9
Conservative Tom Donnelly 820
Liberal Democrats Robin Shirtcliffe 794
Conservative Matthew Taylor 697
Labour Matt Ginnis 453 8.0 Decrease 4.4
Majority 37 0.7
Turnout 5606 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 54.1 Decrease 23.2
Conservative Gareth Gee 581
Labour Ben Carter 526 17.9 Decrease 4.8
Green Nicola Peltell 307 10.4 Increase 10.4
Liberal Democrats Robert Court 178 11.7 Increase 11.7
Independent Rachel Elnaugh-Love 175 5.9 Increase 5.9
Liberal Democrats Patricia Wildgoose 166
Majority 55 1.9
Turnout 2944 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 Increase 69.4
Conservative Chris Stait 255 30.6 Increase 30.6
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 Increase 17.7
Labour Fraser McGuire 100 15.1 Decrease 5.0
Liberal Democrats Midge Dobbs 66 10.0 Increase 10.0
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 Increase 15.0
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. Is 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 52.1 Increase 29.6
Liberal Democrats Marilyn Franks 917
Liberal Democrats Rodger Shelley 761
Conservative Ann Elliott 642 32.1 Decrease 13.0
Conservative Dave Oakley 609
Labour Sarah Halliwell 555 10.4 Decrease 8.4
Conservative Richard Walsh 461
Independent Andrew Statham 291 5.4 Increase 5.4
Majority 119 2.2
Turnout 5340 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 Increase 14.8
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 42.9 Increase 42.9
Labour Simon Ripton 1,092 33.8 Decrease 10.2
Conservative Jason Atkin 420 23.3 Increase 7.0
Conservative Steve Bull 335
Majority 672 20.8
Turnout 3234 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 Increase 18.9
Liberal Democrats Barbara Bowman 80 10.4 Increase 10.4
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 78.0 Increase 29.3
Liberal Democrats Joanne Linthwaite 1,083
Liberal Democrats David Hughes 1,074
Labour Suqie Banwait 477 11.0 Decrease 10.6
Conservative Danny Hopkinson 476 11.0 Decrease 18.6
Majority 597 13.8
Turnout 4325 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 7.5
Liberal Democrats Martin Burfoot 1,526
Liberal Democrats Steve Wain 1,471
Labour John Weir 422 7.1 Decrease 5.9
Conservative Rosemary Oakley 323 14.2 Decrease 1.7
Conservative Thomas Pearce 263
Conservative Harvey Griffin 258
Majority 1049 17.7
Turnout 5928 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 Increase 15.9
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 72.0 Increase 6.6
Labour Dawn Greatorex 1,454
Labour Lucy Peacock 1,375
Conservative Steven Kennel 567 28.0 Increase 7.5
Conservative Paul Williamson 559
Conservative Tony Britner 554
Majority 808 13.5
Turnout 6000 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 Increase 43.5
Independent Thomas Elliott 307 34.2 Decrease 51.8
Conservative John Pearce 200 22.3 Increase 22.3
Majority 83 9.3
Turnout 897 50
Green gain from Independent Swing Increase 47.7

[6]

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. "Election results by wards, Derbyshire Dales District Council". Retrieved 7 May 2023.
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