2007 Wealden District Council election
# 2007 Wealden District Council election

The 2007 Wealden District Council election took place on 3 May 2007 to elect members of Wealden District Council in East Sussex, England. The whole council was up for election and the Conservative Party stayed in overall control of the council.

## Background

At the 2003 election the Conservatives held control of the council with 34 seats, compared to 15 for the Liberal Democrats and 6 independents. However, in September 2006 Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Shing was expelled from the Liberal Democrats and continued on the council as an independent.

The Conservatives took 4 seats without any opposition and were also guaranteed seats in other wards where there were not enough candidates from other parties for the number of seats being contested. The returning officer for Wealden, Charlie Lant, formed a band called The Council Tax Band with other council officers and performed a song called Vote! in an effort to boost turnout at the election.

An important issue at the election was a legal loophole, which was allowing developers to build increased numbers of houses in the area.

## Election result

The Conservatives held control of the council staying on 34 seats, but both the Conservative leader of the council Nigel Coltman and the Liberal Democrat group leader Laura Murphy were defeated. The Liberal Democrats lost 2 seats, dropping to 12 councillors, while independents remained on 7 seats and the Green party won its first councillors on the council after gaining 2 seats. Overall turnout at the election was 38.51%, up from 35% in 2003.

The Conservative leader Nigel Coltman was defeated by Liberal Democrat Brian Cook in Hailsham East by a 55-vote majority, with the Conservatives also losing 2 seats to the Greens in Forest Row. However the Conservatives did not suffer a net loss of seats as they also made gains including defeating the Liberal Democrat group leader Laura Murphy in Hailsham Central and North. The Liberal Democrats did gain a seat in Polegate South from an independent by 1 vote, but Stephen Shing was re-elected as an independent in Willingdon, while Shing's son Daniel also gained a seat in the same ward and Shing's wife Oi Lin gained one in Polegate North.

Wealden local election result 2007 :

| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Conservative | 34 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 61.8 | 54.6 | 36,928 | +5.2% |
| Liberal Democrats | 12 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 21.8 | 23.4 | 15,820 | -11.6% |
| Independent | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12.7 | 15.0 | 10,153 | +5.5% |
| Green | 2 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3.6 | 6.0 | 4,082 | +4.1% |
| Labour | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.6 | 424 | -3.3% |
| English Democrat | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 | 190 | +0.3% |
| UKIP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 57 | -0.1% |

## Ward results

Alfriston :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Keith Whitehead | 707 | 71.8 | +4.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christine Page | 277 | 28.2 | -4.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 430 | 43.7 | +9.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 984 | 48.5 | -1.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Buxted and Maresfield (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Norman Buck | 1,203 | | |
| | Conservative | Ken Ogden | 1,115 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michael Cooper | 394 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,712 | 39.0 | +2.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Chiddingly and East Hoathly :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Barby Dashwood-Hall | 628 | 66.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Barbara Holbrook | 321 | 33.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 307 | 32.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 949 | 42.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

Cross-in-Hand/Five Ashes :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Jonica Fox | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Crowborough East (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Sylvia Tidy | 581 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jane Clark | 579 | | |
| | Conservative | Pat Kennedy | 565 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ian Mein | 510 | | |
| | Green | Sarah Hale | 185 | | |
| | Green | Scott Mason | 133 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,553 | 33.5 | +6.0 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

Crowborough Jarvis Brook :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Prestage | 222 | 45.0 | +6.2 |
| | Conservative | John Stevens | 215 | 43.6 | +21.5 |
| | Green | Colin Stocks | 56 | 11.4 | +11.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7 | 1.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 493 | 25.3 | -3.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Swing | | |

Crowborough North (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Independent | Chantal Wilson | 1,108 | | |
| | Conservative | David Larkin | 739 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Adrian Morris | 530 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,377 | 37.9 | +2.1 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Crowborough St Johns :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Jim Hollins | 469 | 59.4 | -15.9 |
| | English Democrat | Paul Adams | 190 | 24.1 | +24.1 |
| | Labour | Jean McCarthy | 47 | 6.0 | -1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Valerie Banks | 43 | 5.4 | -11.5 |
| | Green | Gabrielle Symonds | 40 | 5.1 | +5.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 279 | 35.4 | -23.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 789 | 40.4 | +8.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Crowborough West (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Diane Phillips | 992 | | |
| | Conservative | Antony Quin | 954 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Edward Willis | 336 | | |
| | Labour | Brendan Clegg | 192 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,474 | 34.9 | +2.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Danehill/Fletching/Nutley (2) :

| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| - | - | - |
| Conservative | Roy Galley | unopposed |
| Conservative | Sylvia Martin | unopposed |
| Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing |
| Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing |

East Dean :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Charles Peck | 793 | 81.6 | +13.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Howard Coote | 179 | 18.4 | -13.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 614 | 63.2 | +27.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 972 | 50.8 | +3.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Forest Row (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Green | David Jonas | 938 | | |
| | Green | Vania Phitidis | 877 | | |
| | Conservative | Rowena Moore | 839 | | |
| | Conservative | Peter Davey | 826 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,480 | 46.9 | +13.4 |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

Framfield :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Ann Newton | 704 | 72.6 | +7.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Steve Hey | 209 | 21.5 | +2.1 |
| | UKIP | Keith Riddle | 57 | 5.9 | -9.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 495 | 51.0 | +5.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 970 | 45.3 | +3.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Frant/Withyham :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Johanna Howell | 1,072 | | |
| | Conservative | John Padfield | 955 | | |
| | Green | Keith Obbard | 566 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,593 | 39.5 | +0.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Hailsham Central and North (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Holbrook | 687 | | |
| | Conservative | Jo Bentley | 644 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Laura Murphy | 641 | | |
| | Conservative | Angela Geall | 577 | | |
| | Independent | John Glover | 291 | | |
| | Independent | Robin Kempe | 242 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,082 | 36.1 | +4.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | | |

Hailsham East :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Brian Cock | 323 | 54.7 | +29.4 |
| | Conservative | Nigel Coltman | 268 | 45.3 | +11.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 55 | 9.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 591 | 30.2 | +3.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

Hailsham South and West (3) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Independent | Nick Ellwood | 742 | | |
| | Independent | Ian Haffenden | 690 | | |
| | Independent | Geoff Rowe | 675 | | |
| | Conservative | Lynn Bowman | 628 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Anne Blake-Coggins | 606 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ann Murrey | 599 | | |
| | Conservative | Arthur Kay | 508 | | |
| | Conservative | Ginny Heard | 497 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,945 | 29.1 | +0.4 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |

Hartfield :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Michael Hoy | 661 | 60.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Burbridge | 294 | 27.0 |
| | Green | Heidi Ruse | 135 | 12.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 367 | 33.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,090 | 52.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

Heathfield East :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Jan Dunk | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Heathfield North and Central (3) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Dick Angel | 1,423 | | |
| | Conservative | Margaret Kirkpatrick | 1,337 | | |
| | Conservative | Niki Oakes | 1,303 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jim Benson | 561 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,624 | 33.2 | +5.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Hellingly (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Blake | 943 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | David White | 929 | | |
| | Conservative | Keith Byatt | 727 | | |
| | Conservative | James Kennedy | 653 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,252 | 39.7 | +2.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

Herstmonceux :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Andy Long | 559 | 69.0 | +5.9 |
| | Independent | Laurence Keeley | 251 | 31.0 | +31.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 308 | 38.0 | +11.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 810 | 37.6 | +1.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Horam :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Susan Stedman | 570 | 75.1 | +18.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lois Norton | 189 | 24.9 | -18.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 381 | 50.2 | +36.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 759 | 36.6 | +3.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Mayfield :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Brian Redman | 647 | 72.3 | +18.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sharon Cottingham | 124 | 13.9 | -31.8 |
| | Green | Derek Forman | 124 | 13.9 | +13.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 523 | 58.4 | +49.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 895 | 43.7 | +2.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Ninfield and Hooe with Wartling :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Pam Doodes | 633 | 83.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Edward Thompson | 129 | 16.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 504 | 66.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 762 | 39.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

Pevensey and Westham (3) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Kevin Balsdon | 1,439 | | |
| | Conservative | Dianne Dear | 1,417 | | |
| | Conservative | Lin McKeever | 1,312 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christine Thomas | 893 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,061 | 31.7 | +2.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Polegate North (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Independent | Oi Shing | 764 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Roy Martin | 683 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Chris Berry | 554 | | |
| | Independent | John Harmer | 394 | | |
| | Independent | Gerald Carter | 333 | | |
| | Conservative | Derrick Wilkins | 271 | | |
| | Green | Peter Wright | 108 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,107 | 42.8 | +5.1 |
| | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

Polegate South :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Don Broadbent | 302 | 36.9 | +5.3 |
| | Independent | Ivy Scarborough | 301 | 36.8 | -8.9 |
| | Conservative | Anne McIlvenny | 216 | 26.4 | +3.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1 | 0.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 819 | 41.7 | +3.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Swing | | |

Rotherfield :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Huw Merriman | 620 | 77.7 | +30.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Graham Morgan | 178 | 22.3 | -23.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 442 | 55.4 | +53.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 798 | 42.7 | +1.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Uckfield Central :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Claire Dowling | 542 | 58.0 | +5.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Dorothy Sparks | 392 | 42.0 | +3.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 150 | 16.1 | +1.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 934 | 40.3 | +5.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Uckfield New Town :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Julia Hey | 410 | 63.4 | +9.2 |
| | Conservative | Terence Clark | 237 | 36.6 | +13.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 173 | 26.7 | -4.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 647 | 31.4 | +0.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

Uckfield North (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Sparks | 693 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alan Whittaker | 532 | | |
| | Conservative | Michael Lunn | 453 | | |
| | Conservative | Anne Sabine | 373 | | |
| | Green | Sam Bryant | 250 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,301 | 30.0 | +2.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

Uckfield Ridgewood :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robert Sweetland | 469 | 51.6 | -5.6 |
| | Conservative | Kim Clark | 440 | 48.4 | +11.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 29 | 3.2 | -17.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 909 | 40.9 | +1.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

Wadhurst (2) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Bob Standley | 1,069 | | |
| | Conservative | Graham Wells | 1,052 | | |
| | Green | Beth Martin | 390 | | |
| | Labour | Bruce Meredeen | 185 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,696 | 38.4 | +6.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

Willingdon (3) :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Independent | Stephen Shing | 2,275 | | |
| | Independent | Daniel Shing | 2,087 | | |
| | Conservative | Ron Cussons | 890 | | |
| | Conservative | Dick Broady | 812 | | |
| | Conservative | Douglas Murray | 793 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andy Watkins | 614 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kay Dewick | 475 | | |
| | Green | Izzy Riach | 280 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,226 | 57.1 | +8.4 |
| | Independent hold | Independent hold | Swing | | |
| | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats | Independent gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | | |

## By-elections between 2007 and 2011

### Uckfield New Town

A by-election was held in Uckfield New Town on 17 July 2008 after Liberal Democrat councillor Julia Hey resigned from the council.

Uckfield New Town By-Election 17 July 2008 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Carol Sweetland | 311 | 47.4 | -16.0 |
| | Conservative | John Carvey | 289 | 44.1 | +7.5 |
| | UKIP | Michael Pursglove | 56 | 8.5 | +8.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22 | 3.3 | -23.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 656 | 31.8 | +0.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Alfriston

A by-election was held in Alfriston on 25 September 2008 after Conservative Keith Whitehead stood down from the council. The seat was gained from the Conservatives by Liberal Democrat Andy Watkins with a 30-vote majority, defeating the former Conservative leader of Wealden council, Nigel Coltman who had been trying to return to the council.

Alfriston By-Election 25 September 2008 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Watkins | 495 | 51.6 | +23.4 |
| | Conservative | Nigel Coltman | 465 | 48.4 | -23.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 30 | 3.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 960 | 48.0 | -0.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Heathfield North and Central

A by-election was held in Heathfield North and Central on 23 September 2010 after the death of Conservative councillor Niki Oakes in June 2010.

Heathfield North and Central By-Election 23 September 2010 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Peter Newnham | 802 | 69.2 | -2.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jim Benson | 357 | 30.8 | +2.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 445 | 38.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,159 | 19.4 | -13.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
