Bridgnorth District
Bridgnorth

Shown within Shropshire non-metropolitan county
History
 • OriginBridgnorth Rural District
Much Wenlock Municipal Borough
Shifnal Rural District (part)
 • Created1974
 • Abolished2009
 • Succeeded byShropshire
StatusDistrict
ONS code39UB
GovernmentBridgnorth District Council
 • HQBridgnorth

Bridgnorth District was, between 1974 and 2009, a local government district in Shropshire, England. Its main town was Bridgnorth and other towns in its area were Much Wenlock, Shifnal and Broseley. The villages of Albrighton and Sheriffhales as well as RAF Cosford were also in the district.

History

The district was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972. The district covered the former Bridgnorth Rural District, and nearly all of the Shifnal Rural District, excluding a small part of Shifnal parish within the area of Telford New Town, which went to Wrekin district.[1] The former municipal boroughs of Much Wenlock and Bridgnorth had been converted into rural boroughs in 1966 and 1967 respectively, making them part of Bridgnorth Rural District whilst retaining some of their civic dignities such as the right to appoint a mayor.[2]

The new district created in 1974 was administered by Bridgnorth District Council until abolition on 31 March 2009. From 1 April 2009 the area was administered by the new Shropshire unitary authority created as part of the 2009 structural changes to local government in England.

Energy policy

See also: Energy efficiency in British housing

In May 2006, a report commissioned by British Gas [1] showed that housing in the district of Bridgnorth produced the 12th highest average carbon emissions in the country at 7,176 kg of carbon dioxide per dwelling.

Political control

The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority until coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 2009 was held by the following parties:[3]

Party in control Years
Independent 1973–2003
No overall control 2003–2009

Leadership

The last leader of the council was Elizabeth Yeomans, an independent.

Councillor Party From To
Elizabeth Yeomans[4] Independent 31 Mar 2009

Council elections

By-election results

Harrington By-Election 31 July 1997
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats 126 51.9 +5.0
Conservative 117 48.2 +48.2
Majority 9 3.7
Turnout 243 21.4
Liberal Democrats gain from Independent Swing
Sheriffhales By-Election 20 June 2002
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 171 60.4 +60.4
Independent 112 39.6 -16.6
Majority 59 20.8
Turnout 283 14.0
Conservative gain from Independent Swing
Ditton Priors By-Election 14 July 2005
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 295 62.5 +11.9
Liberal Democrats 177 37.5 +37.5
Majority 118 25.0
Turnout 472 36.0
Conservative hold Swing

References

  1. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 18 September 2022
  2. ^ "Bridgnorth Rural District". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Delight as relief road opens". Shropshire Star. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  5. ^ The District of Bridgnorth (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1976
  6. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire (County Boundaries) Order 1991. Retrieved on 5 November 2015.
  7. ^ legislation.gov.uk - The District of Bridgnorth (Electoral Changes) Order 2000. Retrieved on 4 October 2015.

Coordinates: 52°32′03″N 2°25′06″W / 52.53417°N 2.41833°W / 52.53417; -2.41833


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