2024 Maidstone Borough Council election
Local election in Maidstone, England
2024 Maidstone Borough Council election
← 20232 May 2024 (2024-05-02)2028 →
All 49 seats to Maidstone Borough Council
25 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond partyThird party
 BlankBlankBlank
LeaderDavid BurtonClive EnglishStuart Jeffery
PartyConservativeLiberal DemocratsGreen
Last election24 seats, 32.7%12 seats, 22.9%3 seats, 16.8%
Seats before25123
Seats won131210
Seat changeDecrease 12SteadyIncrease 7
Popular vote26,35316,63918,470
Percentage31.9%20.1%22.3%
SwingDecrease 0.8%Decrease 2.8%Increase 5.5%
 Fourth partyFifth partySixth party
 BlankBlankBlank
LeaderMaureen Cleator[a]Paul Harper
PartyLabourIndependentFant and Oakwood Independents
Last election6 seats, 15.6%10 seats, 11.3%n/a
Seats before492
Seats won662
Seat changeIncrease 2Decrease 3Increase 2
Popular vote10,4155,5822,434
Percentage12.6%6.8%2.9%
SwingDecrease 3.0%Decrease 4.5%n/a
Winner of each seat at the 2024 Maidstone Borough Council election
Council control before election

David Burton
Conservative
No overall control

Council control after election

Stuart Jeffrey
Green
No overall control

The 2024 Maidstone Borough Council election took place on Thursday 2 May 2024, alongside the other local elections in the United Kingdom being held on the same day. All 49 members of Maidstone Borough Council in Kent were elected following boundary changes.[1]

The council remained under no overall control. The Conservative minority administration which had been running the council prior to the election was replaced by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Greens and some of the independent councillors, led by Green councillor Stuart Jeffery.

Overview

Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control, being run by a Conservative minority administration with informal support from some of the independent councillors.[2] The leader of the council before the election was Conservative councillor David Burton, who had held the post since 2021. He did not stand for re-election.[3]

Following the election the council remained under no overall control. The Conservatives were still the largest party, but with a significantly reduced share of the seats.[4] A coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Greens and four of the independent councillors subsequently formed to run the council, led by Green councillor Stuart Jeffery. He was formally appointed as leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 18 May 2024.[5]

Boundary changes

Maidstone usually elects its councillors in thirds, on a 4-year cycle. However, following boundary changes, all councillors will be elected to the new wards.[6] The change reduces the number of councillors by 6.

Old wards[7]No. of seatsNew wardsNo. of seats
Allington3Allington and Bridge2
Barming1Barming Heath and Teston2
Bearsted3Bearsted and Downswood3
Boughton Monchelsea and Chart Sutton1Boughton Monchelsea and Chart Sutton1
Boxley3Boxley Downs2
Bridge2Coxheath and Farleigh2
Coxheath and Hunton3Fant and Oakwood3
Detling and Thurnham1Grove Green and Vinters Park3
Downswood and Otham1Harrietsham, Lenham and North Downs3
East3Headcorn and Sutton Valence2
Fant3High Street3
Harrietsham and Lenham2Leeds and Langley2
Headcorn2Loose and Linton2
Heath2Marden and Yalding3
High Street3Palace Wood2
Leeds1Park Wood and Mangravet2
Loose1Penenden Heath3
Marden and Yalding3Ringlestone1
North3Senacre1
North Downs1Shepway3
Park Wood2Staplehurst2
Shepway North3Tovil2
Shepway North3
Shepway South2
South3
Staplehurst2
Sutton Valence and Langley1

Previous council composition

After 2023 electionBefore 2024 election[8]After 2024 election
PartySeatsPartySeatsPartySeats
Conservative24Conservative25Conservative13
Liberal Democrats12Liberal Democrats12Liberal Democrats12
Labour6Labour4Labour6
Green3Green3Green10
Fant & Oakwood IndependentsDidn't existFant & Oakwood Independents2Fant & Oakwood Independents2
Independent10Independent9Independent6

Changes:

  • May 2023: Michelle Hastie (independent) joins Conservatives[9]
  • July 2023: Patrick Coates and Paul Harper leave Labour to sit as independents[10]
  • November 2023: Fant & Oakwood Independents formed - Patrick Coates and Paul Harper (both independents) join party[11]

Results

2024 Maidstone Borough Council election
PartyCandidatesSeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
 Conservative491300Decrease 1226.531.926,353–0.8
 Liberal Democrats291200Steady24.520.116,639–2.8
 Green351000Increase 720.422.318,470+5.5
 Independent10800Decrease 316.39.78,016–1.6
 Labour28600Increase 215.612.610,415–3.0
 Reform UK8000Steady0.02.72,264+2.3
 British Democrats1000Steady0.00.5452N/A
 Heritage1000Steady0.00.1107–0.2

Ward results

An asterisk denotes an incumbent councillor seeking re-election.

Allington and Bridge

Allington and Bridge (2 seats)[12]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
GreenStuart Jeffery* 914 60.0
GreenRachel Rodwell 822 54.0
ConservativeMitu Chowdhury38525.3
ConservativeRita Gintautaite26317.3
Liberal DemocratsMichelle Englar25716.9
LabourMarianna Poliszczuk20313.3
Liberal DemocratsBenjamin Webster-Whiting20213.3
Turnout1,659
Green win (new seat)
Green win (new seat)

Barming Heath and Teston

Barming Heath and Teston (2 seats)[13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
IndependentFay Gooch* 765 37.8
GreenAllison Sweetman 712 35.2
Liberal DemocratsChris Passmore70734.9
GreenKeira Stuart Smith61830.5
Liberal DemocratsBryan Vizzard40920.2
ConservativeReiss Cordrey37618.6
LabourMary Shaw28013.8
ConservativeArek Zurawinski1829.0
Turnout2,213
Independent win (new seat)
Green win (new seat)

Bearsted and Downswood

Bearsted and Downswood (3 seats)[14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
ConservativeVal Springett* 1,200 48.6
ConservativeDenis Spooner* 1,021 41.3
GreenCiaran Oliver 1,013 41.0
ConservativePaul Cooper*98439.8
GreenLee Garrett79632.2
GreenEdward Wallace65926.7
Reform UKDavid Cockerham48119.5
IndependentGordon Newton*40916.6
Liberal DemocratsIan Chittenden39816.1
LabourTheresa Lyons34313.9
HeritageSean Turner1074.3
Turnout2,848
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)
Green win (new seat)

Boughton Monchelsea and Chart Sutton

Boughton Monchelsea and Chart Sutton[15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
IndependentAnne Dawes 599 63.1 +10.3
ConservativeGeorge Burr21622.8–5.2
LabourPeter Oliver13414.1+9.7
Turnout958
Independent holdSwingIncrease7.8

Boxley Downs

Boxley Downs (2 seats)[16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
IndependentVanessa Jones* 1,026 65.0
GreenStephen Thompson* 810 51.3
ConservativeHeidi Bryant*41426.2
ConservativeStephen Banks37924.0
LabourMichael Beckwith27917.7
Reform UKMike Wardle25015.8
Turnout1,838
Independent win (new seat)
Green win (new seat)

Coxheath and Farleigh

Coxheath and Farleigh (2 seats)[17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
GreenClaire Kehily 781 53.2
ConservativeLottie Parfitt-Reid* 666 45.3
ConservativeJohn Wilson58139.6
GreenCaroline Richer54737.2
LabourJohn Randall19213.1
Liberal DemocratsAlan Cocks17111.6
Turnout1,717
Green win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

Fant and Oakwood

Fant and Oakwood (3 seats)[18]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Fant and Oakwood IndependentsPaul Harper* 1,285 59.5
Fant and Oakwood IndependentsPatrick Coates* 1,149 53.2
GreenKimberley Milham 909 42.1
LabourValerie Jacobs44720.7
LabourDennis Luchmun41019.0
Liberal DemocratsRojo Kurien38417.8
LabourMargaret Rose*37917.5
Liberal DemocratsLee Blake31614.6
Liberal DemocratsLorraine Humm29013.4
ConservativeWill Dinley27812.9
Reform UKSusan Delamere24711.4
ConservativeRamakrishna Peeta2029.3
ConservativeMudiwa Musindo1868.6
Turnout2,472
Independent win (new seat)
Independent win (new seat)
Green win (new seat)

Patrick Coates and Paul Harper were originally elected as Labour Party candidates, but stood under the descriptions of "Fant and Oakwood Independents" at this election.

Grove Green and Vinters Park

Grove Green and Vinters Park (3 seats)[19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal DemocratsRob Field 939 40.8
Liberal DemocratsMark Naghi 897 39.0
ConservativeRonald Burke 834 36.3
ConservativeMichelle Hastie*83036.1
IndependentMartin Cox*66629.0
Liberal DemocratsJeeva Sampangi66128.7
ConservativeJaison Musindo65428.4
GreenSteven Cheeseman45019.6
LabourMark Tickner34314.9
GreenSusan Parr33114.4
GreenAnna Winterbottom29412.8
Turnout2,618
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

Michelle Hastie was originally elected as an Liberal Democrat.

Harrietsham, Lenham and North Downs

Harrietsham, Lenham and North Downs (3 seats)[20]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
IndependentJanetta Sams* 1,515 79.8
IndependentTom Sams* 1,455 76.7
IndependentKathy Cox 923 48.6
ConservativeJulie-Anne Clancy43522.9
ConservativeEmily Hudson39620.9
LabourRyan Slaughter36419.2
Reform UKIan Stevens30516.1
ConservativeOnyekachukwu Chukwuma30115.9
Turnout2,251
Independent win (new seat)
Independent win (new seat)
Independent win (new seat)

Headcorn and Sutton Valence

Headcorn and Sutton Valence (2 seats)[21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
ConservativeMartin Round* 975 50.1
ConservativeZiggy Trzebinski* 903 46.4
GreenDerek Eagle*82042.1
GreenThomas Dawber72537.3
LabourHenry Morgan28014.4
Liberal DemocratsMartin Richards1899.7
Turnout2,177
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

High Street

High Street (3 seats)[22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal DemocratsClive English* 742 46.8
Liberal DemocratsDinesh Khadka* 654 41.3
GreenDonna Greenan 514 32.4
GreenSaf Buxy51332.4
Liberal DemocratsAshleigh Kimmance*44428.0
LabourDavid Collier40125.3
GreenFarris Willson35822.6
IndependentDenise Joy*34121.5
ConservativeOliver Bradshaw31419.8
ConservativeAlan Chell27017.0
ConservativeDylan Jeffrey20212.7
Turnout1,809
Liberal Democrats hold
Liberal Democrats hold
Green gain from Independent

Leeds and Langley

Leeds and Langley (2 seats)[23]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
ConservativeGill Fort* 600 55.3
ConservativeGary Cooke* 559 51.5
LabourJoan Langrick31028.6
GreenSimon Easton27525.4
GreenMatthew White21619.9
Reform UKMaxwell Harrison20919.3
Turnout1,259
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

Loose and Linton

Loose and Linton (2 seats)[24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal DemocratsBrian Clark* 1,307 70.0
Liberal DemocratsSimon Wales 931 49.9
ConservativeKenneth Amakye42322.7
ConservativeJames Reid*32617.5
Reform UKBryan Hillman26514.2
GreenNicola Dawber21511.5
LabourAlan le Grys1498.0
GreenMatthew Fraser1196.4
Turnout2,099
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)

Marden and Yalding

Marden and Yalding (3 seats)[25]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
ConservativeClaudine Russell* 1,123 47.6
GreenMichael Summersgill 1,120 47.5
GreenGrace Couch 1,089 46.2
ConservativeAnnabelle Blackmore*1,04344.2
ConservativeTristan Russell95340.4
GreenKelly Rigden77232.7
LabourMaria Kelly38916.5
Reform UKTeresa Seamer29812.6
Liberal DemocratsWilliam Wilby28712.2
Turnout2,704
Conservative hold
Green gain from Conservative
Green gain from Conservative

Palace Wood

Palace Wood (2 seats)[26]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
ConservativeStan Forecast* 1,066 50.5
ConservativeTom Cannon* 816 38.6
Liberal DemocratsCynthia Robertson*72434.3
Liberal DemocratsDiana Lewins70433.3
GreenIan McDonald40319.1
GreenStephen Muggeridge28613.5
LabourWendy Hollands22510.7
Turnout2,313
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)

Park Wood and Mangravet

Park Wood and Mangravet (2 seats)[27]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourHilary Jenkins-Baldock 512 69.0
LabourDaniel Wilkinson* 492 66.3
ConservativeJoyce Gadd24132.5
ConservativeLewis McKenna*24032.3
Turnout841
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)

Penenden Heath

Penenden Heath (3 seats)[28]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal DemocratsTony Harwood* 1,155 61.5
Liberal DemocratsRichard Conyard* 1,086 57.9
Liberal DemocratsDavid Naghi* 1,034 55.1
ConservativeDerek Nicholson40221.4
ConservativeJeff Tree39621.1
ConservativeAndrew Bradford37019.7
LabourRachel Slaughter35619.0
GreenPhoebe Frewer35318.8
GreenAndrew Reilly24613.1
GreenDaniel Thompson23312.4
Turnout2,098
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)

Ringlestone

Ringlestone[29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal DemocratsMike Thompson* 325 52.0
ConservativeScott Hahnefeld12620.2
LabourStella Randall11618.6
GreenGareth Henry589.3
Turnout630
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)

Senacre

Senacre[30]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourMalcolm McKay 257 51.8
ConservativePatrik Garten*23948.2
Turnout509
Labour win (new seat)

Shepway

Shepway (3 seats)[31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourJoanna Wilkinson* 747 42.5
LabourMaureen Cleator* 728 41.4
LabourSarah Barwick 725 41.2
ConservativeChristopher Garland66537.8
ConservativeAlan Bartlett*64336.6
ConservativeLouise Bartlett63736.2
British DemocratsLawrence Rustem45225.7
Liberal DemocratsGeoffrey Samme36020.5
IndependentGary Butler31718.0
Turnout2,031
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)
Labour win (new seat)

Staplehurst

Staplehurst (2 seats)[32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
ConservativePaddy Riordan* 967 57.3
ConservativeJohn Perry* 764 45.3
LabourRory Silkin59835.4
LabourJulie Skinner51130.3
Liberal DemocratsThomas Burnham29617.5
GreenStewart Lane23914.2
Turnout1,848
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

Tovil

Tovil (2 seats)[33]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal DemocratsPaul Wilby* 393 43.9
Liberal DemocratsJoe Higson 377 42.1
LabourIan Cleator24527.4
Reform UKPaul Thomas20923.3
ConservativeRebecca Bruneau17719.8
GreenSimon Milham13715.3
ConservativeBenjamin Reid13014.5
GreenRosemary Riepma12313.7
Turnout1,041
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)
Liberal Democrats win (new seat)

References

  1. ^ Of the nine independent councillors prior to the election, three sat in a group with the Greens as the 'Green Independent Alliance' and the other six were unaffiliated.
  1. ^ "Elections". maidstone.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  2. ^ Smith, Alan (31 May 2023). "'It's a stitch-up': Tories and Independents accused of 'freezing' out opposition". Kent Online. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  3. ^ Smith, Alan (26 March 2024). "374 councillors to be elected for Maidstone Borough Council and surrounding parishes". Kent Online. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  4. ^ Van Klaveren, Tom (3 May 2024). "Maidstone Local Election results 2024 in full as Conservatives narrowly remain largest party". Kent Live. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  5. ^ Smith, Alan (22 May 2024). "New eight-member cabinet for Maidstone council announced by Green party leader Stuart Jeffery". Kent Online. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  6. ^ "The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2023", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2023/652, retrieved 20 March 2024
  7. ^ "The Borough of Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2001", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2001/3586, retrieved 20 March 2024
  8. ^ "Your Councillors". Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  9. ^ Smith, Alan (18 May 2023). "Former Independent defects to Conservatives". Kent Online. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. ^ Smith, Alan (5 July 2023). "Labour councillors quit party after mystery suspension". Kent Online. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Fant & Oakwood Independents". The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  12. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Allington & Bridge" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  13. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Barming Heath & Teston" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  14. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Bearsted & Downswood" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  15. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Boughton Monchelsea & Chart Sutton" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  16. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Boxley Downs" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  17. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Coxheath & Farleigh" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  18. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Fant & Oakwood" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  19. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Grove Green & Vinters Park" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  20. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Harrietsham, Lenham & North Downs" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  21. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Headcorn & Sutton Valence" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  22. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - High Street" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  23. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Leeds & Langley" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  24. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Loose & Linton" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  25. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Marden & Yalding" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  26. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Palace Wood" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  27. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Park Wood & Mangravet" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  28. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Penenden Heath" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  29. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Ringlestone" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  30. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Senacre" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  31. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Shepway" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  32. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Staplehurst" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  33. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED - Tovil" (PDF). Maidstone Borough Council. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
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