2023 North Hertfordshire District Council election
# 2023 North Hertfordshire District Council election

The 2023 North Hertfordshire District Council election took place on 4 May 2023 to elect members of North Hertfordshire District Council in Hertfordshire, England. This was on the same day as other local elections across England. The council remained under no overall control.

## Overview

The council had been under no overall control since 2019, being run by a Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition. The leader of the council was Labour councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, who had been leader since 2021.

The council remained under no overall control. Labour overtook the Conservatives to become the largest party on the council for the first time since 1999. The Liberal Democrats took the most votes across the district. The Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition continued running the council after the election.

## Overall results

The overall results were:

2023 North Hertfordshire District Council election :

| Party | Party | This election | This election | This election | Full council | Full council | Full council | This election | This election | This election |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Party | Party | Seats | Net | Seats % | Other | Total | Total % | Votes | Votes % | +/− |
| | Liberal Democrats | 8 | 2 | 50.0 | 7 | 15 | 30.6 | 9,237 | 32.4 | +2.3 |
| | Conservative | 3 | 4 | 18.8 | 12 | 15 | 30.6 | 8,622 | 30.3 | -3.2 |
| | Labour | 5 | 2 | 31.3 | 14 | 19 | 38.8 | 7,365 | 25.9 | -4.9 |
| | Green | 0 | | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2,140 | 7.5 | +2.3 |
| | Independent | 0 | | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 778 | 2.7 | +2.6 |
| | Reform UK | 0 | | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 204 | 0.7 | n/a |
| | CPA | 0 | | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 142 | 0.5 | +0.3 |

## Ward results

The Statement of Persons Nominated, which details the candidates standing in each ward, was released by North Hertfordshire District Council following the close of nominations on 5 April 2023. The results for each ward were as follows. An asterisk (*) indicates a sitting councillor standing for re-election, and a double dagger (‡) indicates a sitting councillor contesting a different ward.

### Arbury

Arbury :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Thomas Wade Tyson* (Tom Tyson) | 618 | 53.7 | +2.8 |
| | Conservative | Nicola Marianne Da Costa (Nikki Da Costa) | 437 | 38.0 | -2.5 |
| | Labour | Leo James Chapman | 53 | 4.6 | n/a |
| | Green | Davina Ruth Malcolm | 42 | 3.7 | -4.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 181 | 15.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,153 | 51.04 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,259 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +2.6 | |

### Baldock Town

Baldock Town :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Michael Muir* | 917 | 42.8 | +5.2 |
| | Labour Co-op | James Thomas O'Gorman Toone | 774 | 36.1 | -4.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Stephen Paul Thomas (Steve Thomas) | 279 | 13.0 | +3.2 |
| | Green | Timothy Peter Lee (Tim Lee) | 173 | 8.1 | -2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 143 | 6.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,156 | 38.24 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,638 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.8 | |

### Cadwell

Cadwell :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Louise Jane Peace | 480 | 56.7 | +8.7 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Gregson Williams (Chris Williams) | 235 | 27.7 | -0.5 |
| | Labour | Alan Garth Trangmar | 75 | 8.9 | -4.1 |
| | Green | Anni Elke Sander | 57 | 6.7 | -3.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 245 | 29.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 850 | 43.08 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,973 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +4.6 | |

### Chesfield

Chesfield :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Dominic John Crean Griffiths | 697 | 42.9 | +0.6 |
| | Conservative | Steven Neil Patmore | 509 | 31.3 | -10.9 |
| | Labour Co-op | Vijaiya Prashan Poopalasingham | 419 | 25.8 | +11.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 188 | 11.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,636 | 31.96 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,119 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | +5.8 | |

### Ermine

Ermine :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Gerald Edward Morris* | 518 | 56.2 | -3.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Hugo John Rainey | 197 | 21.4 | -1.1 |
| | Green | Hugh David Parker | 107 | 11.6 | -0.9 |
| | Labour | Vaughan West | 99 | 10.7 | +5.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 321 | 34.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 927 | 43.24 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,144 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -0.9 | |

### Hitchin Bearton

Hitchin Bearton :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour Co-op | David James Winstanley (Dave Winstanley) | 1,309 | 55.0 | +0.9 |
| | Green | Deolinda Maria Eltringham | 382 | 16.1 | +1.9 |
| | Conservative | Charles Laing | 341 | 14.3 | -1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jonathan Clayden | 302 | 12.7 | -2.9 |
| | CPA | Sidney Clifford Cordle (Sid Cordle) | 46 | 1.9 | n/a |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 927 | 38.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,384 | 37.90 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,290 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -0.5 | |

This seat was previously held by Labour councillor Judi Billing, but had been vacant since her death in November 2022.

### Hitchin Highbury

Hitchin Highbury :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Keith Hoskins* | 1,678 | 62.8 | +4.5 |
| | Conservative | Ethan Singh Parmar | 479 | 17.9 | -10.7 |
| | Labour | Angela Jean Griggs | 362 | 13.6 | +6.0 |
| | Green | Kruna Vukmirovic | 113 | 4.2 | -1.3 |
| | CPA | Leigh Smith | 38 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,199 | 44.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,679 | 43.27 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,191 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +7.6 | |

### Hitchin Walsworth

Hitchin Walsworth :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour Co-op | Daniel Ian Wright-Mason | 1,103 | 49.5 | +3.6 |
| | Conservative | Samuel William Forsyth (Sam Forsyth) | 482 | 21.6 | -2.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Elizabeth Julie Townsend (Liz Townsend) | 312 | 14.0 | -1.6 |
| | Green | William Barry Lavin | 272 | 12.2 | -2.0 |
| | CPA | Asher Smith | 58 | 2.6 | n/a |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 621 | 27.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,236 | 36.45 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,134 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.1 | |

This seat was previously held by Labour councillor Kay Tart, but had been vacant since her resignation in March 2023.

### Hitchwood, Offa & Hoo

Hitchwood, Offa & Hoo :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | David John Barnard* | 1,191 | 50.1 | -2.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Susana Muñoz Maniega | 445 | 18.7 | -11.0 |
| | Green | Nicola Jane Clark (Nicky Clark) | 421 | 17.7 | n/a |
| | Labour | Thomas Patrick Luke Hogan (Tom Hogan) | 318 | 13.4 | -4.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 746 | 31.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,384 | 39.89 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,976 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.1 | |

### Letchworth Grange

Letchworth Grange :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour Co-op | Daniel Steven Marsh | 839 | 44.2 | -14.5 |
| | Conservative | Harrison Michael Edwards | 608 | 32.0 | -9.3 |
| | Green | David Paul Morris | 205 | 10.8 | n/a |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sally Margaret Jarvis (Sal Jarvis) | 148 | 7.8 | n/a |
| | Reform UK | Steven Adelantado (Steve Adelantado) | 100 | 5.3 | n/a |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 231 | 12.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,904 | 34.69 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,489 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -2.6 | |

### Letchworth South East

Letchworth South East :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour Co-op | Michael John Debenham (Mick Debenham) | 741 | 38.4 | -2.1 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Malcolm Clare | 711 | 36.9 | -3.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Anthony James Marment | 237 | 12.3 | -0.5 |
| | Green | Maryla Josephine Hart | 135 | 7.0 | +0.5 |
| | Reform UK | Garry Warren | 104 | 5.4 | n/a |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 30 | 1.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,933 | 36.85 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,246 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.6 | |

### Letchworth South West

Letchworth South West :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sean Prendergast* | 1,223 | 46.3 | +4.5 |
| | Conservative | Morgan William Derbyshire‡ | 897 | 33.9 | -3.9 |
| | Labour | Sadie Rebecca Laura Billing | 344 | 13.0 | -0.8 |
| | Green | Dugald James Muir | 180 | 6.8 | +0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 326 | 12.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,657 | 44.95 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 5,911 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +4.2 | |

The Conservative candidate, Morgan Derbyshire, was the councillor for Letchworth Grange ward prior to this election.

### Royston Heath

Royston Heath :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Bryony Clare May | 954 | 51.7 | -2.3 |
| | Conservative | Hammad Baig | 394 | 21.4 | -7.9 |
| | Independent | Mary Antony | 301 | 16.3 | n/a |
| | Labour Co-op | Kenneth Garland (Ken Garland) | 195 | 10.6 | -0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 560 | 30.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,851 | 41.35 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,476 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +2.8 | |

### Royston Meridian

Royston Meridian :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Matthew Barnes (Matt Barnes) | 847 | 51.7 | +11.5 |
| | Conservative | Stephen Robert Boakes | 435 | 26.6 | -16.7 |
| | Independent | Luke John Haugh | 173 | 10.6 | n/a |
| | Labour | Stephen Lockett | 130 | 7.9 | -3.4 |
| | Green | Desmond Peter Stephens (Des Stephens) | 53 | 3.2 | -2.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 412 | 25.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,647 | 38.77 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,248 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | +14.1 | |

### Royston Palace

Royston Palace :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour Co-op | Catherine Jayne Brownjohn (Cathy Brownjohn) | 549 | 37.8 | -2.9 |
| | Conservative | Jean Margaret Green* | 364 | 25.0 | -13.8 |
| | Independent | Robert Edward Inwood (Rob Inwood) | 304 | 20.9 | n/a |
| | Liberal Democrats | Elizabeth Kathleen Mary Freeman | 237 | 16.3 | -4.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 185 | 12.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,456 | 34.19 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,259 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +5.4 | |

### Weston & Sandon

Weston & Sandon :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal Democrats | Stephen Kenneth Jarvis* (Steve Jarvis) | 583 | 78.6 | -0.5 |
| | Conservative | Helen Denise Derbyshire | 104 | 14.0 | -0.3 |
| | Labour | Rhona Ann Cameron | 55 | 7.4 | +4.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 479 | 64.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 743 | 45.84 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,621 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -0.1 | |
