# 2022 Colchester Borough Council election

Elections to Colchester Borough Council took place on 5 May 2022. Eighteen members of the council (one-third of the whole) were elected: one from 16 of the 17 wards, and two councillors from New Town & Christ Church ward, following the death of incumbent councillor Nick Cope (Liberal Democrat), elected in 2019 and due to serve until 2023.
At the election, the Conservative–Independent coalition lost control of the council, with the Conservatives losing seats to the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. Paul Dundas, the leader of the council, lost his seat in Stanway to challenger Tracey Arnold.
Labour gained one seat from the Liberal Democrats and won the vacated Independent seat in Highwoods, giving them their largest share of representation on the council since the 1990s.

## Background

Following the results of the previous election, the ruling "Progressive Alliance" coalition (comprising the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Independents) lost control of the council after the Independents decided to form an administration with the Conservatives, giving them a majority of one seat over the opposition parties.

## Summary
### Election results

2022 Colchester Borough Council election :
| Party | Party | This election | This election | This election | Full council | Full council | Full council | This election | This election | This election |
| Party | Party | Seats | Net | Seats % | Other | Total | Total % | Votes | Votes % | +/− |
| | Conservative | 6 | 4 | 33.3 | 13 | 19 | 37.3 | 16,308 | 34.5 | -10.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 5 | 2 | 27.8 | 9 | 14 | 27.5 | 13,731 | 29.1 | +9.4 |
| | Labour | 6 | 2 | 33.3 | 7 | 13 | 25.5 | 13,311 | 28.2 | +5.7 |
| | Green | 1 | 1 | 5.6 | 2 | 3 | 5.9 | 3,909 | 8.3 | -2.4 |
| | Independent | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 3.9 | N/A | N/A | -1.7 |

### Incumbents

| Ward | Incumbent councillor | Party | Re-standing |
| Berechurch | Martyn Warnes | Labour Co-op | Yes |
| Castle | Simon Crow | Conservative | Yes |
| Greenstead | Tina Bourne | Labour | No |
| Highwoods | Phil Oxford | Independent | No |
| Lexden & Braiswick | Martin Leatherdale | Conservative | Yes |
| Marks Tey & Layer | Jackie Maclean | Conservative | Yes |
| Mersea & Pyefleet | Robert Davidson | Conservative | Yes |
| Mile End | David King | Liberal Democrats | Yes |
| New Town & Christ Church | Lorcan Whitehead | Labour | No |
| Old Heath & The Hythe | Lee Scordis | Labour Co-op | Yes |
| Prettygate | Roger Buston | Conservative | Yes |
| Rural North | Peter Chillingworth | Conservative | No |
| Shrub End | Pauline Hazell | Conservative | No |
| St. Anne's & St. John's | Chris Hayter | Conservative | No |
| Stanway | Paul Dundas | Conservative | Yes |
| Tiptree | Derek Loveland | Conservative | No |
| Wivenhoe | Andrea Luxford-Vaughn | Liberal Democrats | Yes |

## Aftermath

On 17 May 2022, it was announced that a three-party administration between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Green Party would be formed to run the council throughout the 2022-2023 term. This gave the new administration a majority of 12 seats over the now-opposition Conservatives.
David King (Liberal Democrats, Mile End) was elected Leader of the Council, with Adam Fox (Labour Co-op, Old Heath & The Hythe) elected as the Deputy Leader.

### Cabinet composition

Following coalition negotiations, a cabinet was formed that consisted of four Liberal Democrats, three Labour, and one Green Party member.
| Portfolio | Councillor | Party |
| Strategy | David King | Liberal Democrats |
| Local Economy & Transformation | Adam Fox | Labour Co-op |
| Culture & Heritage | Pam Cox | Labour |
| Neighbourhood Services & Waste | Martin Goss | Liberal Democrats |
| Environment & Sustainability | Steph Nissen | Green |
| Resources | Mark Cory | Liberal Democrats |
| Planning & Infrastructure | Andrea Luxford-Vaughn | Liberal Democrats |
| Housing & Communities | Julie Young | Labour Co-op |

## Ward results

The Statement of Persons Nominated was released on 5 April 2022, detailing the candidates who will be standing in each of the wards. The results of the borough council election were announced on 6 May 2022.
Incumbents are listed with an asterisk *

### Berechurch

Berechurch :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | Martyn Warnes* | 1,418 | 69.3 | +0.9 |
| | Conservative | Chris Piggott | 402 | 19.7 | −0.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michaela Grossmann-Hislop | 127 | 6.2 | −2.0 |
| | Green | John Clifton | 98 | 4.8 | +1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,016 | 49.6 | +1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,045 | 27.8 | −3.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,364 | | |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | 0.6 | |

### Castle

Castle :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Richard Kirkby-Taylor | 1,420 | 50.2 | +12.4 |
| | Conservative | Simon Crow* | 794 | 28.1 | −4.4 |
| | Labour | Alan Short | 360 | 12.7 | −6.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Gillingham | 254 | 9.0 | −1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 626 | 22.1 | +16.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,828 | 35.5 | −1.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,977 | | |
| | Green gain from Conservative | Green gain from Conservative | Swing | 8.4 | |

### Greenstead

Greenstead :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Molly Bloomfield | 1,194 | 59.1 | +7.1 |
| | Conservative | Petra Crees | 512 | 25.3 | −3.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Shaun Boughton | 184 | 9.1 | −1.4 |
| | Green | Lisa Cross | 132 | 6.5 | +0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 682 | 33.8 | +10.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,022 | 18.2 | −1.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,134 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 5.1 | |
No Reform UK (2.7%) candidate as previous.

### Highwoods

Highwoods :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | Jocelyn Law | 833 | 40.8 | +22.8 |
| | Conservative | Stephen Rowe | 773 | 37.9 | +8.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Laura Cassidy | 435 | 21.3 | +12.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 60 | 2.9 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,041 | 28.5 | −1.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,171 | | |
| | Labour Co-op gain from Independent | Labour Co-op gain from Independent | Swing | 7.4 | |
No Independent (35.0%), Green (6.4%) or Reform UK (2.9%) candidates as previous.

### Lexden & Braiswick

Lexden & Braiswick :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Martin Leatherdale* | 1,416 | 51.8 | −4.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sandra Culham | 607 | 22.2 | +5.1 |
| | Labour | Stephen Novy | 406 | 14.9 | +3.5 |
| | Green | Roger Bamforth | 302 | 11.1 | −4.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 809 | 29.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,731 | 37.3 | −6.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,321 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 4.8 | |

### Marks Tey & Layer

Marks Tey & Layer :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jackie Maclean* | 1,393 | 56.6 | −10.8 |
| | Labour | Barry Gilheany | 456 | 18.5 | +6.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mark Hull | 381 | 15.5 | +7.5 |
| | Green | Amy Sheridan | 229 | 9.3 | +1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 937 | 38.1 | −17.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,459 | 30.4 | −3.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,089 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 8.9 | |
No Independent (4.7%) candidate as previous.

### Mersea & Pyefleet

Mersea & Pyefleet :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Robert Davidson* | 1,742 | 65.0 | −4.8 |
| | Labour | Natalie Eldred | 521 | 19.5 | +10.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Stevens | 415 | 15.5 | +10.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,221 | 45.5 | −8.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,678 | 34.0 | −3.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,888 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 7.7 | |
No Green (16.1%) candidate as previous.

### Mile End

Mile End :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | David King* | 1,885 | 66.3 | +1.0 |
| | Conservative | David Linghorn-Baker | 447 | 15.7 | −3.6 |
| | Labour Co-op | Pauline Bacon | 350 | 12.3 | +1.5 |
| | Green | Amanda Kirke | 163 | 5.7 | +1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,438 | 50.6 | +4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,845 | 30.4 | −2.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,352 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 2.3 | |

### New Town & Christ Church

New Town & Christ Church (2 seats due to by-election) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Kayleigh Rippingale | 1,451 | 43.7 | +0.3 |
| | Labour Co-op | Sam McLean | 1,292 | 38.9 | –4.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Catherine Spindler | 1,089 | 32.8 | +10.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robin James | 920 | 27.7 | +5.0 |
| | Conservative | Annesley Hardy | 580 | 17.4 | –7.9 |
| | Conservative | Carla Hales | 524 | 15.8 | –9.5 |
| | Green | Clare Burgess | 473 | 14.2 | +5.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,324 | 34.4 | –1.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,668 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold | Labour hold |
| | Labour Co-op gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour Co-op gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour Co-op gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour Co-op gain from Liberal Democrats | Labour Co-op gain from Liberal Democrats |

### Old Heath & The Hythe

Old Heath & The Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | Lee Scordis* | 1,585 | 64.2 | +10.9 |
| | Conservative | Richard Martin | 502 | 20.3 | −6.3 |
| | Green | Andrew Canessa | 204 | 8.3 | −2.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Schraml | 176 | 7.1 | −2.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,083 | 43.9 | +17.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,467 | 28.8 | −1.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,566 | | |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | 8.6 | |

### Prettygate

Prettygate :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Roger Buston* | 1,406 | 46.4 | −13.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Loxley | 1,050 | 34.6 | +19.2 |
| | Labour | Simon Collis | 406 | 13.4 | −1.1 |
| | Green | Natalie Edgoose | 171 | 5.6 | −4.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 356 | 11.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,033 | 39.0 | −1.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,773 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 16.7 | |

### Rural North

Rural North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | William Sunnucks | 1,731 | 57.5 | −7.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | William Brown | 504 | 16.7 | +6.2 |
| | Green | Sue Bailey | 391 | 13.0 | +1.1 |
| | Labour | Neil Jones | 386 | 12.8 | +2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,227 | 40.8 | −11.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,012 | 35.9 | −4.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,383 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 6.6 | |
No Reform UK (2.5%) candidate as previous.

### Shrub End

Shrub End :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mick Spindler | 826 | 39.2 | +2.2 |
| | Conservative | Angela Linghorn-Baker | 660 | 31.3 | −4.0 |
| | Labour | Luke Hayes | 623 | 29.5 | +10.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 166 | 7.9 | +6.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,109 | 26.6 | −0.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,579 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 3.1 | |
No Green (6.1%) or Reform UK (2.8%) candidates as previous.

### St. Anne's & St. John's

St. Anne's & St. John's :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Smith | 1,478 | 51.8 | +9.8 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Rowe | 986 | 34.5 | −6.6 |
| | Labour | Abigail Chambers | 390 | 13.7 | +3.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 492 | 17.3 | +16.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,854 | 35.0 | −0.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,157 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 8.2 | |
No Green (6.8%) candidate as previous.

### Stanway

Stanway :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tracy Arnold | 1,302 | 53.8 | +14.3 |
| | Conservative | Paul Dundas* | 907 | 37.5 | −8.9 |
| | Labour | Jim Pey | 211 | 8.7 | −1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 395 | 16.3 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,420 | 35.0 | −0.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 6,922 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 11.6 | |
No Green (4.4%) candidate as previous.

### Tiptree

Tiptree :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Rhys Smithson | 1,351 | 61.6 | −10.4 |
| | Labour | Ian Yates | 395 | 18.0 | +5.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kieron Franks | 284 | 13.0 | +5.8 |
| | Green | John McArthur | 163 | 7.4 | −1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 956 | 43.6 | −16.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,193 | 30.1 | −2.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,288 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 8.2 | |

### Wivenhoe

Wivenhoe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrea Luxford-Vaughan* | 1,814 | 56.8 | +18.4 |
| | Labour Co-op | Cyril Liddy | 1,034 | 32.4 | +0.9 |
| | Conservative | Mollie Ireland | 182 | 5.7 | −9.6 |
| | Green | Christopher Blomeley | 163 | 5.1 | −9.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 780 | 24.4 | +17.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,193 | 43.7 | +1.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,307 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 8.8 | |

## By-elections
### Lexden & Braiswick

Lexden & Braiswick: 28 July 2022 Resignation of Martin Leatherdale :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Sara Naylor | 1,372 | 63.7 | +11.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Kieron Franks | 621 | 28.8 | +6.6 |
| | Labour | Catherine Bickersteth | 161 | 7.5 | −7.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 751 | 34.9 | +5.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,158 | 29.3 | −8.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,368 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 2.6 | |
No Green candidate (11.1%) as previous.

### Highwoods

On 20 October 2022, it was announced that Cllr Gerard Oxford and Cllr Beverley Oxford, the two remaining Independent councillors for Highwoods ward, would be resigning from their roles with immediate effect. A by-election was held on 8 December 2022 to fill their vacant seats and was won by one Labour and one Liberal Democrat candidate respectively.
Highwoods: 8 December 2022 Resignations of Beverley Oxford and Gerard Oxford :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Catherine Bickersteth | 653 | 42.3 | +1.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alison Jay | 618 | 41.4 | +18.8 |
| | Labour Co-op | Pauline Bacon | 501 | 32.5 | −8.1 |
| | Conservative | Richard Martin | 430 | 28.9 | −10.0 |
| | Conservative | David Linghorn-Baker | 413 | 27.7 | −11.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Chantelle Whyborn | 366 | 23.7 | +1.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,543 | 21.4 | −7.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,196 | | |
| | Labour gain from Independent | Labour gain from Independent | Labour gain from Independent | Labour gain from Independent | Labour gain from Independent |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent |