The 2023 East Suffolk District Council election took place on 4 May 2023 to elect members of East Suffolk District Council in Suffolk, England. This was held on the same day as other local elections. All 55 seats on the council were up for election.
Summary Prior to the election the council was under Conservative majority control. The Conservative leader of the council, Steve Gallant, did not stand for re-election in 2023.
Following the results of the election, the Conservatives lost control of the council to no overall control, with the three opposition parties making gains at their expense. A coalition of the Greens, Liberal Democrats and the independent councillor subsequently formed. On 24 May 2023, at the inaugural council meeting for the 2023-2024 term, Caroline Topping, a Green Party councillor for Beccles & Worlingham ward, was elected as leader of the council, with Liberal Democrat leader David Beavan becoming deputy leader. The new administration holds 28 out of 55 seats and has a majority of 1.
Overall results The overall results were as follows:
Ward results The Statement of Persons Nominated, which details the candidates standing in each ward, was released by East Suffolk District Council following the close of nominations on 4 April 2023. The results for each ward were as follows, with an asterisk (*) indicating an incumbent councillor standing for re-election:
Aldeburgh & Leiston
Tom Daly previously won a seat in a by-election, however the seat is shown as a gain as compared to the 2019 election.
Beccles & Worlingham
Bungay & Wainford
Carlford & Fynn Valley
Carlton & Whitton
Carlton Colville
Deben
Eastern Felixstowe
Framlingham
Gunton & St Margarets
Halesworth & Blything
Harbour & Normanston
Kelsale & Yoxford
Kesgrave
Kessingland
Kirkley & Pakefield
Lothingland
Martlesham & Purdis Farm
Melton
Orwell & Villages
Oulton Broad
Rendlesham & Orford
Rushmere St Andrew
Saxmundham
Southwold
Western Felixstowe
Wickham Market
Woodbridge
Wrentham, Wangford & Westleton
Changes 2023–present
By-elections
Carlton Colville
Rushmere St Andrew
A by-election was held after Conservative councillor Deborah Dean resigned.
Woodbridge
A by-election was held after Liberal Democrat councillor and cabinet member Kay Yule resigned for health reasons; she died on 19 December 2024, shortly before the by-election was held.
References