The 2023 West Berkshire Council election took take place on 4 May 2023 to elect members of West Berkshire Council in England. This was on the same day as other local elections across England.
Prior to the election the council was under Conservative control, with the party having held a majority of the seats since 2005. The Liberal Democrats took control at the election, winning 29 of the 43 seats. The Conservative leader of the council, Lynne Doherty, lost her seat. At the subsequent annual council meeting on 25 May 2023, Liberal Democrat leader Lee Dillon was appointed leader of the council. The Conservatives appointed Ross Mackinnon to be their new leader in opposition.
Councillors standing down CouncillorWardFirst electedPartyJeff BeckNewbury Clay Hill2000ConservativeJeff CantNewbury Clay Hill2019ConservativeHilary ColeChieveley and Cold Ash2007ConservativeJames ColeHungerford and Kintbury2015ConservativeNassar HuntThatcham Central2019Liberal DemocratsGareth HurleyPangbourne2019ConservativeRick JonesTilehurst and Purley2015ConservativeAlan LawBasildon2007ConservativeRoyce LongtonBurghfield and Mortimer1993Liberal DemocratsGraham PaskBucklebury1987ConservativeClaire RowlesHungerford and Kintbury2019ConservativeGarth SimpsonChieveley and Cold Ash2011ConservativeAndrew WilliamsonTilehurst and Purley2019ConservativeKeith WoodhamsThatcham West1997Liberal Democrats
Results summary The Liberal Democrats gained a majority on West Berkshire council for the first time since 2003, beating the Conservative Party.
This election saw the Labour Party win a seat on the council for the first time since its formation.
Election result
Ward results
The Statement of Persons Nominated, which details the candidates standing in each ward, was released by West Berkshire Council following the close of nominations on 5 April 2023.
Winning candidates are highlighted in bold.
Aldermaston
Basildon
Bradfield
Bucklebury
Burghfield and Mortimer
Chieveley and Cold Ash
Downlands
Hungerford and Kintbury
Lambourn
Newbury Central
Newbury Clay Hill
Newbury Greenham
Newbury Speen
Newbury Wash Common
Pangbourne
Ridgeway
Thatcham Central
Thatcham Colthrop and Crookham
Thatcham North East
Thatcham West
Theale
Tilehurst and Purley
Tilehurst Birch Copse
Tilehurst South and Holybrook
Changes 2023–2027
Newbury Wash Common councillor Adrian Abbs resigned from the Liberal Democrats on 27 October 2023 to sit as an independent, after being disqualified from the party's selection contest for the new Reading West and Mid Berkshire constituency.
By-elections
Thatcham North East The by-election was triggered by the resignation of council leader Lee Dillon, who stood down as a councillor to focus on his role as MP for Newbury after his election in July 2024.
References