No change at Guildhall after elections of May 3rd.
The Conservatives have retained control of Winchester City Council after the local elections held on May 3rd.
Popular councillor Eileen Berry was re-elected in St Barnabas, while Cllr Fiona Mather (St Michaels), Cllr Malcolm Wright (Wonston & Micheldever), Cllr Ernie Jeffs (The Alresfords) and former Mayor Cllr Neil Baxter (Itchen Valley) all strengthened their positions. The Conservative administration remains in control with a majority over all the other parties of just one seat.
City Council Leader, George Beckett said; “I am absolutely delighted that we have consolidated the extraordinary gains of the last two elections and have polled an increased number of votes in many different parts of the district. This is a position from which we can surely make further gains next year”.
Across the country as a whole, the Conservatives achieved the breakthrough they were looking for – hitting 40% of the popular vote and gaining almost 900 extra councillors. Labour lost 492 councillors, while the Liberal Democrats slipped further back under the leadership of Sir Menzies Campbell, losing 243 councillors.
You can see the local results in full at www.winchester.gov.uk
The Conservative team are pictured above after the count on the front steps of Winchester Guildhall.