Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council elections are generally held three years out of every four, with a third of the council being elected each time. Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, generally known as Trafford Council, is the local authority for the metropolitan borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, England. Since the last boundary changes in 2023, 63 councillors have been elected from 21 wards.[1] [2]

Political control

Trafford was created under the Local Government Act 1972 as a metropolitan borough, with Greater Manchester County Council providing county-level services. The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Greater Manchester County Council was abolished in 1986 and Trafford became a unitary authority. Political control of the council since 1974 has been held by the following parties:[3][4]

Party in control Years
Conservative 1973–1986
No overall control 1986–1988
Conservative 1988–1995
No overall control 1995–1996
Labour 1996–2003
No overall control 2003–2004
Conservative 2004–2018
No overall control 2018–2019
Labour 2019–present

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1974 have been:[5]

Councillor Party From To
Raymond Littler Conservative 1974 1974
Frank Eadie Conservative 1974 1975
Michael King Conservative 1975 1976
Colin Warbrick Conservative 1976 1977
Michael King Conservative 1977 1978
Jonathan Taylor Conservative 1978 1982
Michael King Conservative 1982 1985
Colin Warbrick Conservative 1985 1986
Barry Brotherton Labour 1986 1988
Colin Warbrick Conservative 1988 1993
Frank Eadie Conservative 1993 1995
Beverley Hughes Labour 1995 1997
David Acton Labour 1997 2004
Susan Williams Conservative 2004 19 May 2009
Matthew Colledge Conservative 19 May 2009 13 Mar 2014
Sean Anstee Conservative 13 Mar 2014 23 May 2018
Andrew Western Labour 23 May 2018 4 Jan 2023
Tom Ross Labour 4 Jan 2023

Composition

Following the May 2023 election, the political composition of the council is as follows:[6]

Party Seats   +/-  
Labour 41
Conservative 10
Liberal Democrat 6
Green 6

The next election is due in May 2024.

Wards

The council comprises 63 councillors who represent the borough and its residents. Each councillor typically serves for a four-year term, representing an electoral ward.

Code Ward name Localities covered (approximate) Population Ref.
00BUFY Altrincham Altrincham 11,873 [7]
00BUFZ Ashton upon Mersey Sale 9,726 [7]
00BUGA Bowdon Altrincham, Bowdon, Dunham Massey, Dunham Town and Warburton 9,284 [7]
00BUGB Broadheath Broadheath, Sale and Timperley 13,069 [7]
00BUGC Brooklands Brooklands and Sale 10,572 [7]
00BUGD Bucklow-St. Martins Carrington, Partington and Sale 10,540 [7]
00BUGE Clifford Old Trafford 12,003 [7]
00BUGF Davyhulme East Davyhulme, Dumplington and Urmston 9,680 [7]
00BUGG Davyhulme West Davyhulme and Flixton 10,006 [7]
00BUGH Flixton Flixton 10,828 [7]
00BUGJ Gorse Hill Stretford and Trafford Park 12,171 [7]
00BUGK Hale Barns Hale, Hale Barns and Timperley 9,812 [7]
00BUGL Hale Central Altrincham and Hale 10,543 [7]
00BUGM Longford Firswood, Old Trafford, and Stretford 12,163 [7]
00BUGN Priory Sale 10,917 [7]
00BUGP Sale Moor Sale 10,508 [7]
00BUGQ St. Mary's Sale 11,795 [7]
00BUGR Stretford Stretford 11,318 [7]
00BUGS Timperley Brooklands and Timperley 11,201 [7]
00BUGT Urmston Flixton and Urmston 11,271 [7]
00BUGU Village Brooklands and Timperley 10,899 [7]
00BU Trafford All 230,179 [7]

Council elections

One third of the council is elected each year, followed by one year without election.

By-election results

By-elections in the 2010s

Bucklow-St. Martins By-Election 14 September 2017
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Aidan Williams 1,050 64.7 +26.3
Conservative Sarah Marland 456 28.1 +11.0
UKIP Andrew Beaumont 65 4.0 -9.3
Green Joe Ryan 33 2.0 -2.5
Liberal Democrats Simon Lepori 18 1.1 -1.8
Majority 594 35.7 +21.1
Turnout 1,662 22.0 -10.7
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Broadheath By-Election 4 May 2017
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Amy Marie Whyte 2,086 46.0 -1.2
Conservative Dave Morgan 1,778 40.9 -0.3
Liberal Democrats Simon Alexander Latham 271 6.2 +1.1
UKIP Mike Bayley-Sanderson 91 2.1
Green Joe Ryan 80 1.8 -2.0
Independent Stephen John Farndon 36 0.8 -1.8
Majority 308 7.1 +1.2
Turnout 4342 44.3 +2.5
Labour hold Swing
Broadheath By-Election 16 January 2014
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Helen Boyle 1,377 44.5 -1.8
Conservative Brenda Houraghan 1,258 40.6 +1.8
UKIP Ron George 234 7.5 +1.3
Liberal Democrats Will Jones 150 4.8 +0.4
Green Joe Ryan 67 2.2 -2.1
Majority 119 3.8 -3.6
Turnout 3,097 30.3 -8.5
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

By-elections in the 2000s

Davyhulme West By-Election 25 November 2004[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Hooley 1,070 52.2 -3.4
Labour Bill Clarke 757 36.9 +8.1
Liberal Democrats Alan Vernon 222 10.8 -4.8
Majority 313 15.3 -13.5
Turnout 2,049 27.2 -21.3
Conservative hold Swing
Timperley By-Election 25 November 2004[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ken Bullman 1,152 51.2 +1.8
Liberal Democrats Ian Chappell 750 33.3 +2.5
Labour Tom Ross 349 15.5 -4.5
Majority 402 17.9 -1.7
Turnout 2,251 27.3 -25.1
Conservative hold Swing
Davyhulme East By-Election 28 November 2002
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative M. D. Cornes 2,030 57.6 +0.2
Labour N. K. Roberts 1,493 42.4 -0.2
Majority 537 15.2 +0.5
Turnout 3,523 50.0 -2.2
Conservative hold Swing

By-elections in the 1990s

Talbot By-Election 18 September 1997
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour S. A. Beaumont 935 81.8 +5.5
Conservative M. Ali 144 12.6 -9.6
Liberal Democrats F. C. Beswick 64 5.6 +5.6
Majority 791 69.2 +15.1
Turnout 1,143 17.9 -10.1
Labour hold Swing
Clifford By-Election 16 December 1993
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour E. W. Stennett 1,207 78.8 +16.7
Conservative C. H. Davenport 226 14.8 -17.4
Liberal Democrats F. C. Beswick 99 6.5 +6.5
Majority 981 64.0 +34.1
Turnout 1,532 17.9
Labour hold Swing
Stretford By-Election 5 December 1991
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour B. E. Garlick 1,656 48.0 +2.2
Conservative H. Walker* 1,654 47.9 -2.0
Liberal Democrats F. C. Beswick 140 4.1 -4.1
Majority 2 0.1 +34.1
Turnout 3,450 42.9 -6.6
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

By-elections in the 1980s

Bowdon By-Election 15 June 1989
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative M. C. Harney 2,582 59.6 -11.2
Labour H. F. Busteed 674 15.6 +3.6
Liberal Democrats G. P. Pawson 567 13.1 -0.5
Green M. R. Rowtham 506 11.7 +8.2
Majority 1,908 44.1 +3
Turnout 4,329 47.3 +14.3
Conservative hold Swing
Urmston By-Election 24 November 1988
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour D. Acton 1,563 52.6 +7.1
Conservative J. G. Graham 1,406 47.4 +0.2
Majority 157 5.3 +3.7
Turnout 2,969 37.2 +14.3
Labour hold Swing
Mersey St. Marys By-Election 22 January 1987
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative S. G. Brownhill 1,610 56.7 +5.0
SDP R. J. Thompson 683 24.0 +24.0
Labour P. Miller 550 19.3 -0.2
Majority 927 32.6 +9.8
Turnout 2,843 29.6 -13.8
Conservative hold Swing
Talbot By-Election 6 November 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour P. A. Lane 1,209 68.3 +1.1
Conservative C. J. Levenston 562 31.7 +9.0
Majority 647 36.5 -8.0
Turnout 1,771 24.3 -11.9
Labour hold Swing
Altrincham By-Election 6 March 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour J. F. L. Wood 1,150 38.2 -0.6
Conservative S. M. A. O'Beirne 983 32.7 -10.9
SDP B. M. Keeley-Huggett 793 26.4 +26.4
Green N. J. Eadie 81 2.7 +1.1
Majority 167 5.6 +0.8
Turnout 3,007 37.4 -11.9
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Urmston By-Election 6 March 1986
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour D. Acton 1,321 44.7 +5.4
Conservative E. May 871 29.5 -14.5
SDP P. J. Carlon 762 25.8 +9.1
Majority 450 15.2 +10.6
Turnout 2,954 37.1 -6.9
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Flixton By-Election 23 May 1985
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. E. Parry 1,608 40.5 +2.1
Conservative A. M. Durbin 1,213 30.6 -6.9
Labour M. J. Goggins 1,146 28.9 +4.8
Majority 395 10.0 +9.1
Turnout 3,967 49.4 +2.2
Liberal hold Swing
Timperley By-Election 8 July 1982
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative W. J. Watkins 1,433 47.3 -1.7
Liberal G. K. Stuart 1,388 45.8 -2.6
Labour R. J. Short 208 6.9 +4.3
Majority 45 1.5 +1.4
Turnout 3,029 33.8 -11.6
Conservative hold Swing
Village By-Election 18 March 1982
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal R. B. Slack 1,338 38.6 +2.1
Conservative D. Merrell 1,138 32.9 -0.9
Labour R. Crewe 988 28.5 -1.2
Majority 200 5.8 +3.0
Turnout 3,464 41.2 -9.0
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing
Flixton By-Election 9 July 1981
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D. E. Earl 1,400 40.1 +9.2
Conservative P. Schofield 1,199 34.3 -2.3
Labour R. A. Tully 895 25.6 -6.9
Majority 201 5.8 -1.7
Turnout 3,494 44.4 -4.4
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing
Davyhulme West By-Election 11 June 1981
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour L. M. Seex 1,417 43.3 +4.6
Conservative D. P. Harding 1,242 37.9 +1.0
Liberal J. A. Cottrell 617 18.8 -4.7
Majority 175 5.3 +4.4
Turnout 3,276 39.7 -4.8
Labour gain from Liberal Swing

By-elections in the 1970s

Davyhulme West By-Election 13 December 1979
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative D. P. Harding 858 41.3 +41.3
Labour A. Stringer 752 36.2 +3.1
Liberal L. O'Rourke 466 22.4 -38.3
Majority 106 5.1 -16.3
Turnout 2,076 20.0 -55.0
Conservative hold Swing
Longford By-Election 30 August 1979
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour M. E. Cottam 1,187 42.7 +1.6
Conservative J. A. Schofield 1,127 40.5 -4.0
Liberal H. D. Locksley 466 16.8 +2.4
Majority 60 2.2 -1.2
Turnout 2,780 29.1 -43.6
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
Broadheath By-Election 24 March 1977
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative M. G. Currie 1,183 56.7 +2.4
Liberal E. H. Faulkner 579 27.7 -3.4
Labour P. B. Ayo 325 15.6 -5.8
Majority 604 28.9 -1.2
Turnout 2,087 31.7 -13.3
Conservative hold Swing
St. Martins By-Election 24 March 1977
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative T. Almond 1,862 58.7 -8.1
Labour B. Brotherton 744 23.5 -9.7
Liberal W. J. Golding 566 17.8 +17.8
Majority 1,118 35.2 +1.5
Turnout 3,172 28.1 -10.1
Conservative hold Swing
Village By-Election 14 October 1976
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative R. Holden 1,307 67.1 +19.5
Labour J. Gregory 640 32.9 +8.1
Majority 667 34.3 +11.5
Turnout 1,947 24.3 -20.2
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
St. Martins By-Election 18 July 1974
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative P. A. G. Morgan Evans 1,752 46.2 -13.8
Labour T. J. Packham 1,191 31.4
Liberal M. Wood 849 22.4
Majority 561 14.8
Turnout 3,792 34.0
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

References

  1. ^ "The Borough of Trafford (Electoral Changes) Order 2004", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2004/720, retrieved 3 September 2022
  2. ^ "Trafford". Local Government Boundary Commission. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  4. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (5 May 2016). "Declaration of result of poll: Trafford" (pdf). Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Council minutes". Trafford Council. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Your Councillors". Trafford Council. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Area profiles: demographics". infotrafford.org.uk. Trafford Innovation and Intelligence Lab. 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  8. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (7 May 1998). "Local Election Results 1998". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  9. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (6 May 1999). "Local Election Results 1999". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  10. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (4 May 2000). "Local Election Results 2000". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  11. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (2 May 2002). "Local Election Results 2002". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  12. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (4 May 2003). "Local Election Results 2003". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  13. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (10 June 2004). "Local Election Results 2004". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  14. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (4 May 2006). "Local Election Results 2006". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  15. ^ Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (3 May 2007). "Local Election Results 2007". Government of the United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
  16. ^ "Local elections postponed for a year over coronavirus". BBC News. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  17. ^ "May's local and mayoral elections postponed for a year due to coronavirus". ITV News. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  18. ^ Richardson, Alice (6 April 2022). "All the candidates standing in Trafford council local elections 2022 by ward". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  19. ^ a b Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (25 November 2004). "November By Elections 2004". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 January 2008.

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