2023 North Somerset Council election
← 2019 4 May 2023 (2023-05-04) 2027 →
All 50 seats to North Somerset Council
26 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
  Blank Blank Blank
Leader Nigel Ashton Catherine Gibbons Mike Bell
Party Conservative Labour Liberal Democrats
Last election 13 seats, 31.6% 6 seats, 19.7% 11 seats, 18.8%
Seats before 13 6 10
Seats won 13 10 9
Seat change - Increase 4 Decrease 2
Popular vote 25,676 16,784 18,207
Percentage 32.6% 21.3% 23.1%
Swing Increase 1.0pp Increase 1.6pp Increase 4.3pp
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
  Blank Blank Blank
Leader Steve Bridger Bridget Petty N/A
Party Independent Green Portishead Ind.
Last election 13 seats, 16.8% 3 seats, 3.9% 4 seats, 7.3%
Seats before 13 4 4
Seats won 8 7 3
Seat change Decrease 5 Increase 3 Decrease 1
Popular vote 7,164 7,393 3,462
Percentage 9.1% 9.4% 4.4%
Swing Decrease 7.7pp Increase 5.5pp Decrease 2.9pp
Map of the results of the 2019 North Somerset council election. Conservatives in blue, independent in grey, Liberal Democrats in yellow, Labour in red, Green Party in green and Portishead Independents in navy.
Leader before election

Steve Bridger
Independent
No overall control

Leader after election

Mike Bell
Liberal Democrat
No overall control

The 2023 North Somerset Council election took place on 4 May 2023 to elect all 50 councillors to the North Somerset Council in England. It was conducted on the same day as the other local elections across England.

Prior to the election the council was under no overall control, being run by a 'rainbow coalition' of Liberal Democrats, Labour, Greens and independent councillors, led by independent councillor Steve Bridger. Following the election the council remained under no overall control and a similar coalition emerged, but led by Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Bell.[1][2]

Background

North Somerset Council is elected every 4 years, with all council seats being up for election. Following the 2019 election a rainbow coalition consisting of the North Somerset Independent Group, the Liberal Democrats, the Labour Party, the Portishead Independents and the Green Party had formed, initially led by Independent Group leader, Don Davies.[3][4] Davies resigned as leader in May 2022 and was succeeded by his independent colleague Steve Bridger.[5] Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Bell served as deputy leader in the administration prior to 2023.[6]

Throughout the previous council's term from 2019 to 2023, bus and transport services became a considerable issue in the local area. With services such as the X5 Weston-Super-Mare to Cribbs Causeway being cut or reduced and other services such as the X2 Yatton to Bristol and 126 Weston to Wells being axed entirely.[7] In the later part of the council's term a new 'demand bus service' was being created and the council successfully saved some services from being entirely removed.[8][9]

Overall results

North Somerset Council 2023
Party Candidates Votes
Stood Elected Gained Unseated Net % of total % No. Net %
  Conservative 49 13 4 4 0 26% 32.6% 26,676 +1.0
  Labour 43 10 5 1 +4 20% 21.3% 16,784 +1.6
  Liberal Democrats 37 9 2 4 -2 18% 23.1% 18,207 +4.3
  Independent 19 8 2 7 -5 16% 9.1% 7,164 -7.7
  Green 11 7 4 0 +4 14% 9.4% 7,393 +5.5
  Portishead Ind. 4 3 0 1 -1 6% 4.4% 3,462 -2.9

Following the 2023 election the council remained under no overall control, with the Conservatives the largest group.[10] On 12 May 2023, it was announced there would be a partnership between the Liberal Democrats (sitting as a group with three independents), Labour, the Green Party, the Portishead Independents and two other independents (sitting as their own group).[11] Mike Bell, leader of the Liberal Democrat group was announced as the new leader of the council, with Labour councillor Catherine Gibbons being deputy leader, with these positions to be confirmed at the annual council meeting on 23 May 2023.[2]

Ward results

The ward results listed below are based on the changes from the 2019 elections, not taking into account any party defections or by-elections. Incumbent councillors are marked with an asterisk (*).

Backwell

Backwell
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Bridget Petty* 1,144 64.3 +0.8
Conservative Gillian Boylan 434 24.4 -8.0
Independent Sarah Ould 200 11.2 N/A
Majority 710 38.9
Turnout 1,783 48.19 -0.69
Registered electors 3,700
Green hold Swing

Banwell & Winscombe

Banwell & Winscombe (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Tom Nicholson 1,019 42.4 -3.9
Green Joe Tristram 934 38.9 N/A
Conservative Ann Harley* 810 33.7 -17.3
Conservative Martin Newman 750 31.2 -6.7
Liberal Democrats Steve Voller 470 19.6 N/A
Liberal Democrats Geraldine Buck 469 19.5 N/A
Labour Charles Williams 177 7.4 -13.2
Labour Robert Skeen 177 7.4 -10.9
Turnout 2,483 36.43 -0.61
Registered electors 6,815
Green gain from Conservative Swing
Green hold Swing

Blagdon & Churchill

Blagdon & Churchill
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Patrick Keating* 741 59.1 +3.2
Conservative Carl Francis-Pester 279 22.3 -12.4
Labour Co-op Simon Crew 233 18.6 +9.3
Majority 462 36.9 N/A
Turnout 1,276 37.82 -0.25
Registered electors
Liberal Democrats hold Swing +7.8

Clevedon East

Clevedon East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent David Shopland* 360 30.6 -12.5
Conservative Dan Barks 335 28.5 +15.4
Labour Adele Gardner 305 25.9 +9.3
Liberal Democrats Jude Chambers 177 15.0 -12.2
Majority 25 2.1 -13.8
Turnout 1,188 34.20 +1.32
Registered electors 3,474
Independent hold Swing -14.0

Clevedon South

Clevedon South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Hannah Young 590 54.4 N/A
Conservative Harry Blades 494 45.6 +18.0
Majority 96 8.8
Turnout 1,091 32.97 +3.80
Registered electors 3,309
Labour gain from Independent Swing N/A

Clevedon Walton

Clevedon Walton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Pryke 580 34.4 -5.9
Independent Cathy Hawkins 439 26.0 N/A
Liberal Democrats Simon Holmes 390 23.1 -26.7
Labour Nichola Barton 279 16.5 +6.6
Majority 141
Turnout 1,691 47.81 +8.23
Registered electors 3,537
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +10.4

Clevedon West

Clevedon West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Luke Smith 540 39.7 -2.1
Liberal Democrats Geoffrey Richardson* 339 24.9 -33.3
Labour Kevin O'Brien 246 18.1 N/A
Independent Andy Neads 234 17.2 N/A
Majority 201
Turnout 1,365 42.63 +8.38
Registered electors 3,202
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +15.6

Clevedon Yeo

Clevedon Yeo
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Christopher Blades 530 44.4 -4.3
Labour Richard Westwood* 448 37.6 -13.7
Independent Trevor Morgan 215 18.0 N/A
Majority 82
Turnout 1,194 36.02 +7.43
Registered electors 3,315
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

Congresbury & Puxton

Congresbury & Puxton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Dan Thomas 831 60.0 N/A
Liberal Democrats David Hayes 232 16.7 -37.6
Conservative Colin Knott 232 16.7 +3.1
Labour Paul Doolan 91 6.6 -25.4
Majority 599
Turnout 1,397 42.77 +3.45
Registered electors 3,266
Green gain from Liberal Democrats Swing

Gordano Valley

Gordano Valley
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Ashton* 840 58.3 +9.2
Liberal Democrats Bernadette Morgan 660 41.7 +2.9
Majority 180 16.6
Turnout 1,507 42.59 +1.25
Registered electors 3,538
Conservative hold Swing

Hutton & Locking

Hutton & Locking (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Terry Porter* 834 56.3 +10.2
Independent Mike Solomon* 628 42.4 -9.7
Liberal Democrats Georgina Barry 449 30.3 N/A
Labour Tim Taylor 375 25.3 +6.6
Labour Lucas Wheatley 346 23.4 +6.2
Independent Elfan Ap Rees 329 22.2 N/A
Turnout 1,764 27.80 -6.65
Registered electors 6,345
Conservative hold Swing
Independent hold Swing

Long Ashton

Long Ashton (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Ashley Cartman* 1,642 57.4 +11.8
Green Stuart McQuillan* 1,455 50.9 +11.3
Conservative Charles Cave 1,184 41.4 +2.6
Conservative David Oyns 967 33.8 -2.5
Labour William Hall 470 16.4 +2.7
Turnout 3,037 44.03 +2.81
Registered electors 6,898
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Green hold Swing

Nailsea Golden Valley

Nailsea Golden Valley
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Andy Cole 1,027 75.3 -3.2
Labour Ian Ridge 179 13.1 +6.5
Conservative Anita Heappey 158 11.6 -3.3
Majority 848 62.2
Turnout 1,368 41.52 -5.32
Registered electors 3,295
Independent hold Swing

Nailsea West End

Nailsea West End
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ollie Ellis 631 54.2 +32.1
Independent James Tonkin* 317 27.2 -50.7
Labour Derek Cottrell 232 18.6 N/A
Majority
Turnout 1,184 38.63 +1.36
Registered electors 3,065
Conservative gain from Independent Swing

Nailsea Yeo

Nailsea Yeo
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Mike Bird* 592 55.0 -4.5
Conservative Lesley Cottrell 268 24.9 +0.6
Labour Peter Harris 216 20.1 +10.0
Majority
Turnout 1,083 31.31 -2.17
Registered electors 3,459
Independent hold Swing

Nailsea Youngwood

Nailsea Youngwood
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Clare Hunt 570 51.7 +40.5
Conservative Jeremy Blatchford 532 48.3 +11.9
Majority
Turnout 1,109 39.10 -0.86
Registered electors 2,836
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Pill

Pill
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Jenna Ho Marris 624 48.6 N/A
Conservative Jeff Stott-Everett 435 33.9 +24.8
Labour Daniel Hackwood 143 11.1 N/A
Liberal Democrats Huw James 82 6.4 N/A
Majority
Turnout 1,292 37.31 -5.31
Registered electors 3,463
Green gain from Independent Swing

Portishead East

Portishead East (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Portishead Ind. Roger Whitfield 1,114 76.6 +5.1
Independent Caritas Charles* 721 49.6 N/A
Conservative Hazel Richards 376 25.9 +8.5
Conservative Matt Westley 286 19.7 +4.2
Liberal Democrats Erika Stride 264 16.9 N/A
Liberal Democrats Janey Little 246 11.3 N/A
Turnout 1,608 28.32 -7.64
Registered electors 5,677
Portishead Ind. hold Swing
Independent gain from Portishead Ind. Swing

Portishead North

Portishead North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Portishead Ind. Tim Snaden* 723 49.7 -18.5
Conservative Reyna Knight 396 27.2 +5.0
Liberal Democrats Francoise Rimelin Johnston 337 23.1 N/A
Majority 22.5 -23.6
Turnout 1,467 37.87 -7.89
Registered electors 3,874
Portishead Ind. hold Swing

Portishead South

Portishead South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Peter Burden 447 33.8 -7.4
Liberal Democrats Yue He Parkinson 358 27.1 -14.3
Portishead Ind. Paddy Sterndale 335 25.3 N/A
Labour Steven Lister 183 13.8 -3.6
Majority 89 6.7 +6.5
Turnout 1,334 40.58 -5.19
Registered electors 3,287
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +6.9

Portishead West

Portishead West (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Portishead Ind. Nicola Holland* 1,290 56.5 -11.7
Liberal Democrats Sue Mason 1,091 47.8 +20.7
Conservative Felicity Baker 905 39.6 +20.3
Conservative David Pasley 708 31.0 +16.0
Labour Chris Bird 571 25.0 +18.6
Turnout 2,619 36.41 -8.66
Registered electors 7,193
Portishead Ind. hold Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Independent Swing

Weston-super-Mare Central

Weston-super-Mare Central (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Mike Bell* 848 59.4 +2.5
Liberal Democrats Robert Payne* 686 44.5 +0.1
Labour Valerie Donegan 361 25.3 +1.2
Conservative Clive Webb 331 23.2 -3.5
Conservative Jordan Heath 326 22.8 +3.1
Labour Andrew Rogers 267 18.7 +1.2
Independent Dave Morgan 88 6.2 N/A
Turnout 1,541 22.89 -6.33
Registered electors 6,731
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare Hillside

Weston-super-Mare Hillside (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Mark Canniford* 1,187 73.0 +5.5
Liberal Democrats John Crockford-Hawley* 1,096 66.9 +3.3
Labour Dorothy Agassiz 279 17.0 +4.0
Conservative Caroline Lucas 266 16.2 +1.3
Labour Bill McCoid 247 15.1 +3.4
Conservative Justnya Pecak-Michalowicz 193 11.8 +0.3
Turnout 1,727 25.80 -8.29
Registered electors 6,694
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare Kewstoke

Weston-super-Mare Kewstoke (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lisa Pilgrim* 860 43.2 -1.7
Conservative Martin Williams 795 39.9 -4.0
Liberal Democrats Joe Bambridge 768 38.6 +11.5
Liberal Democrats Clare Morris 734 36.9 N/A
Labour Alan Hill 455 22.9 +0.7
Labour Jack Wilfan 369 18.5 -1.2
Turnout 2,094 30.65 -3.31
Registered electors 6,831
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare Mid Worle

Weston-super-Mare Mid Worle
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jemma Coles 338 37.3 +8.6
Labour Alan Peak 299 33.0 +6.0
Conservative James Davis 269 29.7 -3.4
Majority
Turnout 913 28.21 -2.73
Registered electors 3,237
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

Weston-super-Mare Milton

Weston-super-Mare Milton (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Richard Tucker* 1,123 61.0 +10.9
Labour Catherine Gibbons* 1,013 55.0 +12.4
Conservative Brenda Charles 549 29.8 -1.4
Conservative Mary Blatchford 508 27.6 +4.1
Liberal Democrats Chantelle Canniford 279 15.1 -1.7
Liberal Democrats Glyn Hayes 212 11.5 N/A
Turnout 1,957 27.73 -3.32
Registered electors 7,058
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare North Worle

Weston-super-Mare North Worle (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Marc Aplin* 806 53.9 +5.7
Conservative Marcia Pepperall* 627 41.9 +3.7
Labour Matthew Flint 413 27.6 -0.5
Liberal Democrats Richard Skinner 404 27.0 -2.6
Labour Lisa Youlton 378 25.3 +5.1
Liberal Democrats Ron Moon 362 24.2 -1.9
Turnout 1,588 25.86 -2.64
Registered electors 6,141
Conservative hold Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare South

Weston-super-Mare South (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour James Clayton* 727 72.8 +0.3
Labour Ian Parker* 616 66.1 -8.4
Conservative Valerie MacQueen 164 16.4 -12.0
Conservative Don Cameron 151 15.1 -8.4
Liberal Democrats Ray Armstrong 150 15.0 N/A
Liberal Democrats Joan Dunne 146 14.6 N/A
Turnout 1,617 23.94 -17.86
Registered electors 6,755
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare South Worle

Weston-super-Mare South Worle (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Hugh Malyan 619 40.8 +4.8
Conservative Peter Crew* 611 40.3 -6.0
Labour James Willis-Boden 583 38.4 +3.8
Conservative Michal Kus 529 34.8 -6.6
Liberal Democrats Gully Hayer 371 24.4 +1.0
Liberal Democrats Hugh Eckett 323 21.3 N/A
Turnout 1,085 17.54 -7.33
Registered electors 6,186
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare Uphill

Weston-super-Mare Uphill (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Helen Thornton 680 34.7 +14.8
Conservative Peter Bryant* 643 32.8 +6.6
Conservative Gillian Bute 612 31.2 +10.1
Labour Crispin Taylor 575 29.3 +12.3
Liberal Democrats Tony Hobden 403 24.4 +5.8
Liberal Democrats Kelly Jewell 369 21.3 N/A
Independent Martyn Williams 240 12.2 N/A
Independent John Ley-Morgan* 229 11.7 -48.5
Green Peter Waldschmidt 173 8.8 N/A
Turnout 2,054 31.44 -4.31
Registered electors 6,534
Labour gain from Independent Swing
Conservative hold Swing

Weston-super-Mare Winterstoke

Weston-super-Mare Winterstoke (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ciaran Cronnelly* 511 47.1 +2.7
Labour Annabelle Chard 483 44.5 +1.6
Conservative Joshua Selby 225 20.7 -35.5
Conservative Daniel Young 221 20.3 -20.4
Liberal Democrats Jenny Gosden 191 17.6 N/A
Liberal Democrats Geoff Mills 175 16.1 N/A
Green Thomas Daw 145 13.4 N/A
Independent Dawn Payne 111 10.2 N/A
Independent Len Purnell 110 10.1 N/A
Turnout 1,132 17.16 -0.60
Registered electors 6,597
Labour hold Swing
Labour hold Swing

Wick St Lawrence & St Georges

Wick St Lawrence & St Georges
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Stuart Davies 380 41.5 N/A
Conservative Samantha Pepperall 215 23.5 -36.9
Labour Paul Fuller 174 19.0 -20.6
Liberal Democrats Estelle Canniford 146 16.0 N/A
Majority
Turnout 917 25.79 +3.76
Registered electors 3,555
Independent gain from Conservative Swing

Winford

Winford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Annemieke Waite 663 58.6 N/A
Conservative Vivien Etheridge 469 41.4 -15.7
Majority
Turnout 1,134 32.40 +0.65
Registered electors 3,500
Green gain from Independent Swing

Wrington

Wrington
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Stephen Hogg* 944 77.9 -0.5
Conservative John Wood 268 22.1 +7.5
Majority
Turnout 1,220 36.35 -9.71
Registered electors 3,356
Independent hold Swing

Yatton

Yatton (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Steve Bridger* 1,339 49.2 -18.4
Liberal Democrats Wendy Griggs* 1,212 44.5 -3.0
Conservative Annabel Tall 1,161 42.6 +20.3
Conservative James MacQueen 936 34.4 +18.5
Labour Kay Tabernacle 480 17.6 +8.9
Labour Ciro La Motta 319 11.7 +5.9
Turnout 2,963 41.19 -0.28
Registered electors 7,193
Independent hold Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

By-elections

Wrington

Wrington: 16 November 2023
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Thomas Daw 336 32.7 N/A
Conservative Annabell Tall 297 28.9 +6.8
Liberal Democrats Samantha Louden-Cooke 283 27.5 N/A
Labour Steven Lister 112 10.9 N/A
Majority 39 3.8
Turnout 1,028
Green gain from Independent

Notes

References

  1. ^ "No party has won a majority in North Somerset". BBC News. BBC. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b "North Somerset Council announces leader of partner administration". BBC News. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  3. ^ Postans, Adam (10 May 2019). "Rainbow coalition to control North Somerset Council". Bristol Live. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Council make-up and group leaders". North Somerset Council. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  5. ^ Williams, Charlie (11 May 2022). "Council elects Steve Bridger as new leader". Weston Mercury. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  6. ^ https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/council-democracy/councillors-committees/councillors/executive-members
  7. ^ https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/news/council-working-save-bus-routes-following-more-cuts
  8. ^ https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/news/council-working-save-bus-routes-following-more-cuts
  9. ^ https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/news/first-look-new-demand-buses-their-way-north-somersets-communities
  10. ^ Wimperis, John (5 May 2023). "North Somerset Council local elections live: Reaction as Conservatives largest party amid Labour and Green gains". Somerset Live. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Partnership administration announced". North Somerset Council. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
Categories