The 2026 Worthing Borough Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 13 of 37 members of Worthing Borough Council in West Sussex, England.
Prior to the election, the council was under Labour majority control. At this election the council went under no overall control. Labour remained the largest party, but fell four seats short of a majority. The incumbent leader of the council, Sophie Cox, stood down as leader after the election. Labour chose Caroline Baxter to be its new group leader instead. She was formally confirmed as the new leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 19 May 2026, leading a Labour minority administration.
Summary
Background In 2024, the Labour Party won majority control of the council. In January 2026, the council asked for the election to be postponed pending local government reorganisation. However it was rescheduled on 16 February 2026.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 26 21 9 9 2 2 0 2
Changes 2024–2026: May 2024: Margaret Howard (Labour), Hilary Schan (Labour), and Carl Walker (Labour) leave party to sit as independents July 2024: Beccy Cooper (Labour) resigns – by-election held September 2024 August 2024: Richard Mulholland (Labour) resigns – by-election held October 2024 September 2024: Thomas Taylor (Conservative) gains by-election from Labour October 2024: Luke Houghton (Conservative) gains by-election from Labour May 2025: Luke Houghton (Conservative) joins Reform November 2025: Charles James (Conservative) joins Reform
Election result
Ward results
Broadwater
Castle
Central
Durrington
Gaisford
Goring
Heene
Marine
Northbrook
Offington
Salvington
Selden
Tarring
References