Preston Council election, 2007

Elections to Preston City Council took place on 03 May2007.

Preston council is elected "in thirds" which means one councilor from each three-member ward, and councillors from selected two-member wards, are elected each year, with one year free from all elections to ensure all councillors serve a full term.

Due to the "in thirds" system, these election results are compared to the Preston Council election, 2003.

For further information, see Preston local elections

Election Summary Party
party = Conservative Party (UK)
seats = 8
gain = 1
loss = 0
net = +1
seats % = 42.1
votes % = 40.0
votes = 11,826
plus/minus = +2.0%Election Summary Party
party = Labour Party (UK)
seats = 7
gain = 0
loss = 1
net = -1
seats % = 36.8
votes % = 30.0
votes = 8,659
plus/minus = +2.4%Election Summary Party
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
seats = 2
gain = 1
loss = 1
net = 0
seats % = 10.5
votes % = 21.9
votes = 6,536
plus/minus = -4.3%Election Summary Party
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
seats = 1
gain = 0
loss = 0
net = 0
seats % = 5.3
votes % = 6.5
votes = 1,941
plus/minus = +0.4%Election Summary Party
party = Green Party of England and Wales
seats = 0
gain = 0
loss = 0
net = 0
seats % = 0.0
votes % = 0.2
votes = 63
plus/minus = -0.9%Election Summary Party
party = Independent (politician)
seats = 1
gain = 0
loss = 0
net = 0
seats % = 5.3
votes % = 2.8
votes = 840
plus/minus = N/A

Ashton

The two-member Ashton division is a suburban ward in the north-west of the city. It has a number of schools in its borders. The ward is predominantly used as a commuting hub although recent increases in student numbers has seen the terraces used for multi-occupancy housing.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Ashton ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = William (Bill) Tyson
votes = 550
percentage = 45.6
change = -8.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Phil Crowe
votes = 480
percentage = 39.8
change = -5.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Jennifer Buxton
votes = 176
percentage = 14.6
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 70
percentage =
change = -26Election box rejected
votes = 6
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,212
percentage = 39.0
change = +6.0Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Brookfield

In the north east of the city, the predominantly 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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Nerys Evans
votes = 691
percentage = 53.2
change = -0.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Hussain Mulla
votes = 309
percentage = 23.8
change = -22.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Ruth McPheat
votes = 300
percentage = 23.1
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 382
percentage =
change = +294Election box rejected
votes = 13
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,306
percentage = 24.9
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

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.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: College ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Jill Truby
votes = 830
percentage = 61.8
change = +6.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Stephen Wilkinson
votes = 307
percentage = 22.9
change = -7.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Bert Williams
votes = 205
percentage = 15.3
change = +1.3Election box majority
votes = 523
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 9
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,351
percentage = 48.8
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Deepdale

Two member Deepdale was once reportedly the most deprived in England, and remains a ward of notable problems in health and housing. The ward contains Preston North End's Deepdale stadium and some of the oldest terraced housing in the city.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Ashton ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = Joyce Cartright
votes = 840
percentage = 52.1
change = -12.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Anis Faruki
votes = 565
percentage = 35.0
change = +12.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Jane Balshaw
votes = 121
percentage = 7.5
change = -4.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = John Potter
votes = 85
percentage = 5.3
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 275
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 8
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,619
percentage = 42.4
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Independent (politician)
swing =

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.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Garrison ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Christine Thomas
votes = 1,114
percentage = 58.5
change = -4.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Marie Milne
votes = 455
percentage = 23.9
change = +5.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = William Burke
votes = 336
percentage = 17.6
change = -0.9Election box majority
votes = 659
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 7
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,912
percentage = 36.1
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Stephen Thomson
votes = 1,532
percentage = 66.8
change = +3.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = John Porter
votes = 502
percentage = 21.9
change = +3.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Alan Woods
votes = 260
percentage = 11.3
change = -7.2Election box majority
votes = 1,030
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 10
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 2,304
percentage = 44.0
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

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.

With two councillors elected in the 2003 elections, there can be no direct comparison between results.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Ingol ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Peter Pringle
votes = 919
percentage = 57.7
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Michael Chadha
votes = 450
percentage = 28.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Shahzad Malik
votes = 224
percentage = 14.0
change = Election box majority
votes = 469
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 6
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,599
percentage = 30.1
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
swing =

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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Rob Osinski
votes = 805
percentage = 44.6
change = +9.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Martyn Rawlinson
votes = 688
percentage = 38.1
change = -0.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Christine Sharpe
votes = 312
percentage = 17.3
change = -8.8Election box majority
votes = 117
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 9
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,814
percentage = 33.1
change = Election box gain with party link
winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
loser = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

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 follows the parish council boundary of Lea & 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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Susan Buttle
votes = 1,009
percentage = 56.7
change = +19.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Pauline Brown
votes = 580
percentage = 32.6
change = -16.3Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Drew Gale
votes = 192
percentage = 10.8
change = -3.4Election box majority
votes = 429
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 1,781
percentage = 38.5
change = Election box gain with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
loser = Liberal Democrats (UK)
swing =

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. 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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Frank de Molfetta
votes = 594
percentage = 59.2
change = -12.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Julian Sedgewick
votes = 234
percentage = 23.3
change = -5.3Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Lydia Livingston
votes = 176
percentage = 17.5
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 360
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 7
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,011
percentage = 28.9
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

Preston Rural East

The large Rural East wards contains the Amounderness, Broughton and Grimsargh communities in the north and east of the city.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Rural East ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Neil Cartright
votes = 994
percentage = 72.8
change = -6.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = John Houghton
votes = 208
percentage = 15.2
change = -6.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Julie Voges
votes = 164
percentage = 12.0
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 786
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 5
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,371
percentage = 38.3
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

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.

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: Rural North ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Kate Calder
votes = 1,799
percentage = 76.9
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Bill Parkinson
votes = 355
percentage = 15.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Pauline Jackson
votes = 185
percentage = 7.9
change = Election box majority
votes = 1,444
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 9
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 2,348
percentage = 44.3
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Brian Rollo
votes = 731
percentage = 56.3
change = -8.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Paul Henry Balshaw
votes = 337
percentage = 26.0
change = -8.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Christine Billington
votes = 230
percentage = 17.7
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 394
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 5
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,303
percentage = 24.2
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Bhikhu Patel
votes = 577
percentage = 41.2
change = -6.4Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Elaine Abbott
votes = 386
percentage = 27.6
change = N/AElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Smith
votes = 242
percentage = 17.3
change = -7.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Wilf Gavin
votes = 194
percentage = 13.9
change = -13.4Election box majority
votes = 191
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 7
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,406
percentage = 34.0
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

haroe 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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Eric Fazackerly
votes = 1,129
percentage = 58.9
change = -0.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Fiona Wren
votes = 490
percentage = 25.5
change = +4.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Terry Mattinson
votes = 299
percentage = 15.6
change = -3.1Election box majority
votes = 639
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 5
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,923
percentage = 37.7
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

t Matthews

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 Matthews ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Javad Iqbal
votes = 675
percentage = 50.0
change = -22.5Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Sumera Mir Rizwan
votes = 339
percentage = 25.1
change = N/AElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Peter McElhone
votes = 170
percentage = 12.6
change = -14.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Tracey Singleton
votes = 166
percentage = 12.3
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 336
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 10
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,360
percentage = 28.3
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Michael Lavelette
votes = 1,179
percentage = 52.3
change = +14.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Salim Desai
votes = 717
percentage = 31.8
change = +1.1Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Helen Greaves
votes = 206
percentage = 9.2
change = -6.1Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Susan Horn
votes = 87
percentage = 3.9
change = -12.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party of England and Wales
candidate = Rupert Wadsworth
votes = 63
percentage = 2.8
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 462
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 7
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 2,259
percentage = 46.4
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
swing =

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 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Robert Boswell
votes = 753
percentage = 48.9
change = -2.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Harry Landless
votes = 523
percentage = 34.0
change = -15.1Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Liam Pennington
votes = 263
percentage = 17.1
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 230
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 11
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 1,550
percentage = 30.6
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

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. It is populated by a mixture of student halls and terrace houses, with just less than half of the population being students. [http://www.preston.gov.uk/Documents/General/University.pdf 2001 Census Information]

Election box begin
title=Preston City Council Elections: University ward 2007Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = John Swindells
votes = 279
percentage = 49.6
change = -9.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Rick Seymour
votes = 163
percentage = 29.0
change = N/AElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Samir Vohra
votes = 84
percentage = 14.9
change = -26.1Election box candidate with party link
party = RESPECT The Unity Coalition
candidate = Dave Orr
votes = 37
percentage = 6.6
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 116
percentage =
change = Election box rejected
votes = 1
percentage =Election box turnout
votes = 564
percentage = 24.2
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
swing =

sequence
prev=Preston Council election, 2006
list=Preston local elections
next=Preston Council election, 2008

References

* [http://www.preston.gov.uk/elections/Election.asp?id=8 Preston City Council election results]

ee also

* Preston (UK Parliament constituency)