Preston Council election, 2006

The City Council elections for the Lancashire city of Preston were held on 4 May 2006 on the same day as other UK local elections, 2006. Nineteen electoral wards were fought. The only change was that Labour gained one seat from the Liberal Democrats, continuing to be the largest party, but the Council remained under no overall control

Candidates

The number of candidates fielded, by party, were:

* Labour - 19
* Conservative - 19
* Liberal Democrats - 18
* BNP - 1
* Respect - The Unity Coalition - 5
* Green Party - 3

ummary results

Election Summary Party
party = Labour Party (UK)
seats = 9
gain = 1
loss = 0
net = +1
seats % = 55.6
votes % = 27.6
votes = 7,667
plus/minus = +2.02Election Summary Party
party = Conservative Party (UK)
seats = 5
gain = 0
loss = 0
net = 0
seats % =27.8
votes % = 38.0
votes = 10,552
plus/minus = -0.75Election Summary Party
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
seats = 4
gain = 0
loss = -1
net = -1
seats % = 16.7
votes % = 26.2
votes = 7,277
plus/minus = +0.2Election Summary Party
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
seats = 0
gain = 0
loss = 0
net = 0
seats % = 0
votes % = 6.1
votes = 1,692
plus/minus = -0.3Election Summary Party
party = Green Party of England and Wales
seats = 0
gain = 0
loss = 0
net = 0
seats % = 0
votes % = 1.1
votes = 313
plus/minus = +1.1Election Summary Party
party = British National Party
seats = 0
gain = 0
loss = 0
net = 0
seats % = 0
votes % = 1.0
votes = 280
plus/minus = +1.0

New composition

As of May 2006, Labour have 24 councillors, Conservative 17, LibDems 12, Respect 2 and there are two Independent councillors. Preston City Council remains under no overall control.

Ward results

Preston Council is elected in thirds, which means there is an all out election in one year followed by single-member elections in all three-member wards and selected two-member wards. All changes in percentage share of the vote are from the correpsonding 2003 or 2004 elections in the respective wards. Any "gain" or "loss" compares this year's elections with the 2002 "all out" vote because the councillors in this election are defending that year's result.

Brookfield

In the north east of the city, the predominately low income housing of Brookfield is a three-member ward. Buttressed up against Ribbleton and the rural east, and wedge-shaped to the south of Fulwood, the ward has been troubled by increasing levels of crime in recent years. Parts of the ward were formerly within the Fulwood district council and maintain the look of the affluent northern quarters of the city.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Brookfield ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = William Browne
votes = 588
percentage = 45.79
change = +4.69Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = David Johnston
votes = 458
percentage = 35.67
change = +7.97Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Hilda Parkinson
votes = 238
percentage = 18.54
change = +5.84Election box majority
votes = 130
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,284
percentage =
change =

Cadley

The central ward of Cadley is positioned between Fulwood and Preston, with the main Lytham Road and Cadley Causeway used as the boundary between it and the nearby College and Ashton wards. Cadley is almost entirely suburban housing with a heavy commuter population.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Cadley ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Alan Hackett
votes = 1,039
percentage = 58.57
change = +6.47Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Mary Driver
votes = 586
percentage = 33.03
change = -3.27Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Cuthbert Williams
votes = 149
percentage = 8.40
change = -3.20Election box majority
votes = 453
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,774
percentage =
change =

College

Created in the last round of local boundary reviews, the two-member College ward centres on two Fulwood employers. Preston College has a catchment area far beyond the city itself, whilst the recently closed Sharoe Green hospital has had many of its services re-directed to the Royal Preston Hospital. There are a mix of commuter and student housing and an increasing Muslim population.

The last election for a councillor in College ward was in 2003; the change of vote in this table is based on the 2003 figures.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: College ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Kathleen Cartwright
votes = 690
percentage = 56.70
change = +1.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Michael Turner
votes = 320
percentage = 26.29
change = -4.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Terence Mattinson
votes = 207
percentage = 17.01
change = +3.0Election box majority
votes = 370
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,217
percentage =
change =

Fishwick

Fishwick is a ward in the southwest of the city, at the border with South Ribble, spreading north into Ribbleton. The ward has a sizable percentage of comfortable housing but has in recent years been more infamous for the troubled Callon housing estate. The ward has higher than average unemployment and continuing issues with crime and drugs. In the 2004 elections, for the first time since local government restructuring in the 1970s, Fishwick elected a Conservative candidate to Town Hall. This accounts for the large changes in vote in this results table. Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Fishwick ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Harold Parker
votes = 483
percentage = 42.44
change = +7.54Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Samir Vohra
votes = 229
percentage = 20.12
change = -17.78Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Paul Valentine
votes = 216
percentage = 18.98
change = N/AElection box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Valli Urmarji
votes = 210
percentage = 18.45
change = -8.65Election box majority
votes = 254
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,138
percentage =
change =

Garrison

Centred on the army barracks at Fulwood, this is a three-member ward created by the last round of boundary reviews. It is set in a heavily small "c" conservative part of Preston with a number of schools and small employment centres. In April 2006 Marie Milne changed party from Conservative to Liberal Democrat.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Garrison ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Jennifer Greenhalgh
votes = 1,019
percentage = 60.65
change = +7.15Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Bill Parkinson
votes = 400
percentage = 23.81
change = -1.39Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = William Burke
votes = 261
percentage = 15.54
change = -5.76Election box majority
votes = 619
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,680
percentage =
change =

Greyfriars

Its name coming from a large private estate within its boundaries, Greyfriars is one of the oldest names connected to Preston's history. It includes the Pius X Preparatory school and Fulwood's leisure centre. An increasing number of comfortable suburban houses has been built on the fringes of the ward, which also borders Ingol Golf Course.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Greyfriars ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = David Hammond
votes = 1,619
percentage = 68.11
change = +5.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = John Porter
votes = 539
percentage = 22.68
change = -3.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Alan Woods
votes = 219
percentage = 9.21
change = -1.9Election box majority
votes = 1,080
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 2,377
percentage =
change =

Ingol

Ingol ward is in the north west of the city, bordered by Greyfriars and to the south of the M55 motorway. The ward contains two main population areas, Ingol and Tanterton. The latter has had problems with drugs and crime over recent years but this is beginning to improve. Parts of the ward are comfortable with some commuter areas and houses neighbouring the Lancaster canal. There are still pockets of troubled communities.

Ingol is a three member ward. Two councillors were elected in 2003 following the expulsion from Town Hall of a Liberal Democrat councillor.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Ingol ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = William Shannon
votes = 853
percentage = 55.14
change = +7.74Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Marie Dilworth
votes = 396
percentage = 25.60
change = -5.00Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Phillip Crowe
votes = 298
percentage = 19.26
change = -2.44Election box majority
votes = 457
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,547
percentage =
change =

Larches

In the west of the city, around 30 minutes from the city centre, Larches is a box-shaped ward from the Riversway dual-carriageway into Blackpool to Haslam Park. It contains two post-war housing estates, Larches and Savick, and an area of suburban sprawl moved in from Ashton following boundary changes. The ward contains the whole of Ashton Park.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Larches ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Mark Jewell
votes = 957
percentage = 52.64
change = +11.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Allan Foster
votes = 569
percentage = 31.30
change = -3.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Christine Sharp
votes = 292
percentage = 16.06
change = -7.9Election box majority
votes = 388
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,818
percentage =
change =

Lea

The three member ward of Lea contains the small Fylde border town of Lea Town, the urban Lea community and the sprawling green-belt community of Cottam. The ward mirrors the parish council boundary of Lea and Cottam Parish Council. Cottam has grown from a small farming community to a large private housing development populated by young families and business people.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Lea ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Christine Abram
votes = 776
percentage = 48.14
change = -4.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Julie Buttle
votes = 678
percentage = 42.06
change = +9.1Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Andrew Gale
votes = 158
percentage = 9.80
change = -4.1Election box majority
votes = 98
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,612
percentage =
change =

Moor Park

Based on the Plungington community and bordering both the neat suburban terraces of southern Fulwood and the University of Central Lancashire campus, the Moor Park ward has a high number of student housing in converted Victorian housing and neater family houses. The Plungington area is split between this ward and neighbouring Tulketh. Moor Park itself is included in this ward, in the shadow of Deepdale football stadium.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Moor Park ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = John Collins
votes = 497
percentage = 52.59
change = -18.84Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Hussain Mulla
votes = 233
percentage = 24.66
change = -3.91Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Lydia Livingston
votes = 215
percentage = 22.75
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 264
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 945
percentage =
change =

Preston Rural North

Over reaching across the city of Preston is the large Preston Rural North ward, which includes the M6 and M55 motorways and acres of market towns, farming communities and rural areas. The boroughs of Fylde and Wyre border this northern ward, which is a three-member ward.

In 2003, there was no election in this ward as the sitting councillor was unopposed.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Preston Rural North ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Kenneth Hudson
votes = 1,642
percentage = 74.77
change = -0.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Ann Green
votes = 234
percentage = 10.66
change = -4.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party of England and Wales
candidate = Margaret Ashworth
votes = 169
percentage = 7.70
change = N/AElection box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Pauline Jackson
votes = 151
percentage = 6.88
change = -2.5Election box majority
votes = 1,408
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 2,196
percentage =
change =

Ribbleton

Ribbleton, in the east of the city, grew massively as council housing was built around former mill worker terraces; now the ward is one of the largest in size and shows all the usual issues of high level crime and deprivation. Ribbleton, in common with the neighbouring Brookfield ward, is overwhelmingly white working class.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Ribbleton ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Patricia Woods
votes = 623
percentage = 53.71
change = -5.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Christine Thomas
votes = 304
percentage = 26.21
change = +3.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Robert Nash
votes = 233
percentage = 20.09
change = +1.9Election box majority
votes = 319
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,160
percentage =
change =

Riversway

The Riversway ward has three distinct elements. Broadgate, a comfortable estate of Victorian housing with a high percentage of student housing; new build housing on the former British Aerospace site; and the redeveloped marina. The former Preston Port, one of the largest in its time, has been redelevoped to feature shopping units and new build housing of some considerable expense. The Preston Docks and surrounding area has a sizable area of Development including new Supermarkets, Car dealers and trade outlets.

A Hindu temple, Lancashire County Council's headquarters and Preston's railway station are in the Riversway ward.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Riversway ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Linda Crompton
votes = 501
percentage = 40.53
change = +5.7Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Elaine Abbot
votes = 318
percentage = 25.73
change = +1.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Wilf Gavin
votes = 221
percentage = 17.88
change = -4.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Jane Balshaw
votes = 196
percentage = 15.86
change = -2.5Election box majority
votes = 183
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,236
percentage =
change = Election box gain with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
loser = Liberal Democrats (UK)
swing =

Sharoe Green

Lodged in the south-central area of Fulwood, the Sharoe Green ward is based on the former hospital and surrounding commuter belt environs.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Sharoe Green ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Constance McManus
votes = 1,054
percentage = 57.16
change = +4.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Stephen Wilkinson
votes = 510
percentage = 27.66
change = +0.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Paul Jackson
votes = 280
percentage = 15.18
change = -5.2Election box majority
votes = 544
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,844
percentage =
change =

St George's

The St George's ward is a rectangle-shaped ward in between Deepdale and the city centre. The largest area of population are rows of old-style terraces with streets named after various saints - David, Barnabus, Anne, Martin, Michael and George to name a few. The ward has one of the largest percentage of Hindu and Muslim population in the city and has an increasing student population.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: St George's ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Abu Taalib Shamsuddin
votes = 344
percentage = 38.74
change = -6.4Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Sumera Mir Rizwan
votes = 225
percentage = 25.34
change = -2.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Tracy Singleton
votes = 142
percentage = 15.99
change = N/AElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Susan Brown
votes = 115
percentage = 12.95
change = -14.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party of England and Wales
candidate = Matthew Beck
votes = 62
percentage = 6.98
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 119
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 888
percentage =
change =

St Matthew's

A wedge-shaped ward in between the streets of Ribbleton and the city centre, this ward contains some deprived housing in the process of renewal, and in the recent months expensive new-build conversions.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: St Matthew's ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Albert Richardson
votes = 747
percentage = 58.77
change = +13.6Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Danielle Field
votes = 292
percentage = 23.29
change = -10.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Peter McElhone
votes = 225
percentage = 17.94
change = -3.0Election box majority
votes = 445
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,254
percentage =
change =

Town Centre

Formed by boundary changes prior to Preston being awarded city status, Town Centre is the largest non-rural ward in the borough. There are three distinct parts to this central seat, namely Avenham, Frenchwood and the city centre itself.

The ward includes student developments and converted student homes in Avenham; expensive new build developments around the historic Winckley Square; and the Frenchwood area on the banks of the River Ribble. Avenham was notorious for high levels of crime and deprivation, but this is turning around with the establishment of community groups and private housing associations funding renewal. There is a sizable Muslim population in Avenham and Frenchwood.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Town Centre Ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Ronald Atkins
votes = 654
percentage = 37.59
change = -2.3Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Mukhtar Master
votes = 647
percentage = 37.18
change = +3.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ronald Smith
votes = 235
percentage = 13.51
change = +2.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Liam Pennington
votes = 122
percentage = 7.01
change = -6.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party of England and Wales
candidate = Robert Douglas
votes = 82
percentage = 4.71
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 7
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,740
percentage =
change =

Tulketh

Tulketh ward is a central and entirely urban ward north of the University complex, and to the east of Ashton. Its main population areas are traditional terrace housing, which mixes families with small shops including the Lane Ends shopping village and student housing.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Tulketh ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Jean Al-Serraj
votes = 652
percentage = 41.14
change = -10.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = John Wilson
votes = 480
percentage = 30.28
change = -18.4Election box candidate with party link
party = British National Party
candidate = Anthony Bamber
votes = 280
percentage = 17.67
change = N/AElection box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Helen Zoe Greaves
votes = 173
percentage = 10.91
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 172
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,585
percentage =
change =

University

Shaped around the outskirts of the city centre, this butterfly-wing shaped ward was formed following the recent boundary changes. It took from the over-sized Riversway ward electors from the St Pauls and Maudland areas as well as the University campus itself. It is a two-member ward.

The last election for University ward was held in 2003. The changes in vote are from the election in this year.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: University ward 2006Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Carl Crompton
votes = 295
percentage = 60.82
change = +1.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Paul Balshaw
votes = 101
percentage = 20.82
change = -20.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Jenny Buxton
votes = 89
percentage = 18.35
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 194
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 485
percentage =
change =

sequence
prev=Preston Council election, 2004
list=Preston local elections
next=Preston Council election, 2007

References

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2006/locals/html/30uk.stm 2006 Preston election result]
* [http://www.preston.gov.uk/elections/election.asp?id=7 Ward results]

ee also

*Preston local elections
*Preston
*Fulwood, Lancashire
*Preston (UK Parliament constituency)