The 1973 Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council election took place on 10 May 1973 alongside other local elections across the United Kingdom. All 72 seats of Kirklees Council were elected.

The Labour Party won a majority on the newly formed council, with Thomas Megahy becoming the first leader of the council.

Background

The Local Government Act 1972 abolished previous existing local government structures, and created a two-tier system of counties and districts everywhere. Some of the new counties were designated metropolitan counties, containing metropolitan boroughs instead. The allocation of functions differed between the metropolitan and the non-metropolitan areas (the so-called "shire counties") – for example, education and social services were the responsibility of the shire counties, but in metropolitan areas was given to the districts

The metropolitan borough of Kirklees was formed from the combination of Batley, Dewsbury and Huddersfield following the passing of the act, coming under West Yorkshire County Council.

For its first year it was a "shadow authority", acting alongside the area's outgoing authorities, until the new administrative areas and their councils formally came into being on 1 April 1974.

Composition 1973 Kirklees Council election Party Seats 45 18 8 1

Ward Results

Crosland Moor

Dewsbury South

No. 10 (Huddersfield: Longwood-Milnsbridge-Paddock)

No. 12 (Batley: East & Soothill)

No. 13 (Batley: West)

No. 14 (Batley: Birstall & North)

No. 15 (Spenborough: Hightown-Roberttown & Norrist)

No. 16 (Spenborough: Cleckheaton-Oakenshaw-Scholes)

No. 17 (Spenborough: Birkenshaw & Gomersal & Heckmondwike)

No. 18 (Colne Valley: East)

No. 19 (Colne Valley: Central-North-West)

No. 2 (Dewsbury: All Saints-Earlsheaton-Shaw Cross)

No. 20 (Denby Dale)

No. 21 (Meltham & Honley)

No. 22 (Holmfirth)

No. 23 (Kirkburton)

No. 24 (Mirfield)

No. 3 (Dewsbury: Ravensthorpe-St. Johns-Trinity)

No. 4 (Huddersfield: Dalton)

No. 5 (Huddersfield: Almondbury)

No. 6 (Huddersfield: Deighton)

No. 7 (Huddersfield: Newsome & Central)

No. 8 (Huddersfield: Birkby and Fartown)

No. 9 (Huddersfield: Lindley & Marsh)

References