The 2026 Cannock Chase District Council election took place on 7 May 2026 to elect members of Cannock Chase District Council in Staffordshire, England. There were 13 of the 36 seats on the council up for election, being the usual third of the council plus a by-election. This was on the same day as other local elections.
Prior to the election, the council was under Labour majority control. At the election, Reform UK won all of the seats being contested, becoming the largest party of the council. They fell five seats short of an overall majority, leaving the council under no overall control. The incumbent Labour leader of the council, Steve Thornley, lost his seat. After the election, Reform chose Paul Jones to be its new group leader. He was formally appointed as the new leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 20 May 2026, leading a Reform minority administration.
Summary Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 21 19 10 10 5 4 0 2 Vacant N/A Vacant 1 Changes 2024–2026: March 2025: Josh Newbury (Labour) resigns – by-election held May 2025 May 2025: Samantha Thompson (Conservative) gains by-election from Labour Fred Prestwood (Labour) dies – by-election held August 2025 August 2025: Paul Jones (Reform) gains by-election from Labour October 2025: Richard Craddock (Conservative) joins Reform November 2025: Hayley Page (Green) resigns – seat left vacant until 2026 election
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Brereton & Ravenhill David Williams Cannock Longford & Bridgtown Richard Craddock Cannock Park & Old Fallow Steve Thornley Chadsmoor Sue Thornley Etching Hill & The Heath Justin Johnson Hawks Green with Rumer Hill Les Bullock Heath Hayes & Wimblebury Diane Todd Hednesford Green Heath Garry Samuels Hednesford Hills & Rawnsley Hayley Page Hednesford Pye Green Sheila Cartwright Norton Canes Jean Hill Western Springs George Hughes
Ward results
Sitting councillors standing for re-election are marked with an asterisk (*).
Brereton & Ravenhill
Cannock Longford & Bridgtown
Cannock Park & Old Fallow
Chadsmoor
Etching Hill & The Heath
Hawks Green with Rumer Hill
Heath Hayes & Wimblebury
Hednesford Green Heath
Hednesford Hills & Rawnsley
Hednesford Pye Green
Norton Canes
Western Springs
References