# 2023 Derbyshire Dales District Council election

The 2023 Derbyshire Dales District Council election was held on 4 May 2023 to elect all 34 councillors for Derbyshire Dales District Council. This was on the same day as other local elections.
For the first time since 1995, the Conservative Party failed to win a majority of seats. Instead, the Liberal Democrats won the largest number of seats, beating the Conservatives by one seat, the same margin as in 1995, but again failing to win a majority of their own.
This was the first election to the Derbyshire Dales District Council to be held under the current ward boundaries. The total number of councillors was reduced from 39 to 34, and the total number of wards was reduced from 25 to 21. Consequently, the boundaries of most of the wards were different compared to those which had been in use since the 2003 election. The arrangements for each new ward are described below.
Prior to the election the council was under no overall control, with the majority held by the Conservatives following the 2019 election having been lost through defections and resignations. Less than two months before the election the Conservative leader, Garry Purdy, who had led the council since 2019, was suspended and then resigned over private promises made to a local tourist attraction. Susan Hobson took over as Conservative leader and became acting leader of the council, with formal appointment of a new leader of the council deferred until after the election. Immediately before the election the council was being run by a coalition comprising the Conservatives, the SDP councillor and three of the independent councillors.
A "progressive alliance" coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Greens subsequently formed to take control of the council, with Liberal Democrat group leader Steve Flitter being appointed leader of the council at the annual council meeting on 25 May 2023.

## Ward results

In the instance in which the boundaries of a ward are identical to those in the 2019 election, the percentage changes have been calculated relative to the results in that ward from 2019. In the instance in which a ward is broadly coterminous with a previous ward or has only been slightly expanded, the percentage change is calculated in the same way from the corresponding ward in 2019, but in these instances this value is only indicative and some changes to party political support will be a result of the boundary changes. The results in each ward were as follows:

### Ashbourne North

Ashbourne North was still represented by two councillors and was slightly expanded.
Ashbourne North (2 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Dobbs | 653 | 46.9 | 16.6 |
| | Conservative | Stuart Lees | 575 | 41.3 | 6.8 |
| | Conservative | Sue Bull | 561 | 40.3 | 8.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Monty Stuart-Monteith | 528 | 37.9 | 13.3 |
| | Labour | Eileen Ashley | 246 | 17.7 | 0.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14 | 0.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,393 | 41 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 12.0 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Ashbourne South

Ashbourne South was now represented by three councillors instead of two and was expanded.
Ashbourne South (3 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rob Archer | 1,101 | 52.5 | 13.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nick Wilton | 884 | 42.1 | New |
| | Conservative | Anthony Bates | 857 | 40.8 | 2.5 |
| | Conservative | Tom Donnelly | 820 | 39.1 | 1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robin Shirtcliffe | 794 | 37.8 | 5.4 |
| | Conservative | Matthew Taylor | 697 | 33.2 | New |
| | Labour | Matt Ginnis | 453 | 21.6 | 9.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 37 | 0.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,099 | 39 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 6.2 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Conservative win | Conservative win | Conservative win | Conservative win | Conservative win |

### Bakewell

Bakewell was now represented by two councillors instead of three but remained geographically the same.
Bakewell (2 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Mark Wakeman | 1,011 | 61.2 | 5.8 |
| | Conservative | Gareth Gee | 581 | 35.2 | 31.2 |
| | Labour | Ben Carter | 526 | 31.9 | 1.5 |
| | Green | Nicola Peltell | 307 | 18.6 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robert Court | 178 | 10.8 | New |
| | Independent | Rachel Elnaugh-Love | 175 | 10.6 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Patricia Wildgoose | 166 | 10.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 55 | 1.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,651 | 47 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 9.2 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Bonsall and Winster

Bonsall and Winster was a new ward which was to be represented by one councillor. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Winster and South Darley, which was also represented by one councillor.
Bonsall & Winster (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Matthew Buckler | 578 | 69.4 | New |
| | Conservative | Chris Stait | 255 | 30.6 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 323 | 38.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 833 | 44 | |
| | Green gain from Independent | Green gain from Independent | Swing | 83.3 | |

### Bradwell

Bradwell was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.
Bradwell (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Andy Nash | 506 | 73.8 | 31.2 |
| | Conservative | Chloe Sinker | 180 | 26.2 | 31.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 326 | 47.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 686 | 44 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 31.2 | |

### Brailsford

Brailsford was still represented by one councillor and was geographically the same.
Brailsford (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Geoff Bond | 379 | 57.3 | 22.6 |
| | Green | Morgan Bryan | 117 | 17.7 | New |
| | Labour | Fraser McGuire | 100 | 15.1 | 5.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Midge Dobbs | 66 | 10.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 262 | 39.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 662 | 39 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 20.2 | |

### Calver and Longstone

Calver and Longstone was a new ward which is to be represented by one councillor. It was predominantly formed of parishes from the old wards of Calver, and Litton and Longstone.
Calver & Longstone (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Kelda Boothroyd | 441 | 54.6 | |
| | Conservative | Helen Froggatt | 367 | 45.4 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 74 | 9.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 808 | 45 | |
| | Green win | Green win | Green win | Green win | Green win |

### Chatsworth

Chatsworth was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.
Chatsworth (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Susan Hobson | 458 | 62.0 | 12.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Claire Cadogan | 170 | 23.0 | 6.8 |
| | Green | John Ward | 111 | 15.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 288 | 39.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 739 | 43 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 9.4 | |

### Cromford and Matlock Bath

Cromford and Matlock Bath was a new ward which is to be represented by one councillor. It was predominantly formed of parishes from the old ward of Masson.
Cromford & Matlock Bath (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Nick Whitehead | 448 | 68.8 | |
| | Conservative | Joseph Pearce | 203 | 31.2 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 245 | 37.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 651 | 39 | |
| | Labour win | Labour win | Labour win | Labour win | Labour win |

### Darley Dale

Darley Dale was still represented by three councillors and was slightly expanded.
Darley Dale (3 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Burton | 1,104 | 54.7 | 29.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Marilyn Franks | 917 | 45.4 | 23.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rodger Shelley | 761 | 37.7 | 23.8 |
| | Conservative | Ann Elliott | 642 | 31.8 | 11.7 |
| | Conservative | Dave Oakley | 609 | 30.1 | 9.4 |
| | Labour | Sarah Halliwell | 555 | 27.5 | 8.8 |
| | Conservative | Richard Walsh | 461 | 22.8 | 14.8 |
| | Independent | Andrew Statham | 291 | 14.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 119 | 2.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,020 | 42 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 21.3 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Dovedale, Parwich and Brassington

Dovedale, Parwich and Brassington was a new ward which was to be represented by one councillor. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Dovedale and Parwich, which was also represented by one councillor.
Dovedale, Parwich & Brassington (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Nigel Walker | 464 | 57.8 | 15.9 |
| | Labour | Kevin Welsh | 120 | 14.9 | 2.2 |
| | Green | Richard Rowlatt | 119 | 14.8 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Henry Jebb | 100 | 12.5 | 1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 344 | 42.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 803 | 44 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 9.1 | |

### Doveridge and Sudbury

Doveridge and Sudbury was still represented by one councillor and was geographically the same.
Doveridge & Sudbury (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Bointon | 458 | 58.0 | 20.7 |
| | Independent | Jacqueline Allison | 331 | 42.0 | 11.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 789 | 44 | |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Swing | 16.3 | |

### Hartington and Taddington

Hartington and Taddington was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.
Hartington & Taddington (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Chapman | 391 | 62.7 | 2.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Eleanor Nancolas | 117 | 18.8 | 6.2 |
| | Green | Catherine Handy | 116 | 18.6 | 1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 274 | 43.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 624 | 37 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 1.7 | |

### Hathersage

Hathersage was a new ward which was to be represented by two councillors. It is broadly coterminous with the old ward of Hathersage and Eyam, which was also represented by two councillors.
Hathersage (2 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | Peter O'Brien | 1,387 | 76.0 | 34.7 |
| | Labour | Simon Ripton | 1,092 | 59.8 | 20.9 |
| | Conservative | Jason Atkin | 420 | 23.0 | 15.6 |
| | Conservative | Steve Bull | 335 | 18.4 | 15.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 672 | 20.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,825 | 53 | |
| | Independent gain from Labour | Independent gain from Labour | Swing | 26.6 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Hulland

Hulland was still represented by one councillor and was slightly redrawn.
Hulland (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Dermot Murphy | 395 | 51.4 | 28.8 |
| | Labour | Diane Fletcher | 148 | 19.3 | 0.5 |
| | SDP | Richard Bright | 145 | 18.9 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Barbara Bowman | 80 | 10.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 247 | 32.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 768 | 44 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 14.2 | |

### Matlock East and Tansley

Matlock East and Tansley was a new ward which was to be represented by three councillors. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Matlock St. Giles, which was also represented by three councillors.
Matlock East and Tansley (3 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Stephen Flitter | 1,215 | 67.7 | 14.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Joanne Linthwaite | 1,083 | 60.4 | 16.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Hughes | 1,074 | 59.9 | 19.9 |
| | Labour | Suqie Banwait | 477 | 26.6 | 5.3 |
| | Conservative | Danny Hopkinson | 476 | 26.5 | 1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 597 | 13.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,794 | 39 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 20.0 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Matlock West

Matlock West was a new ward which was to be represented by three councillors. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Matlock All Saints, which was also represented by three councillors.
Matlock West (3 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sue Burfoot | 1,665 | 78.6 | 9.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Burfoot | 1,526 | 72.0 | 10.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Steve Wain | 1,471 | 69.5 | 14.0 |
| | Labour | John Weir | 422 | 19.9 | 1.7 |
| | Conservative | Rosemary Oakley | 323 | 15.3 | 10.5 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Pearce | 263 | 12.4 | 3.5 |
| | Conservative | Harvey Griffin | 258 | 12.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,049 | 17.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,118 | 46 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | 4.6 | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Norbury

Norbury was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.
Norbury (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Tony Morley | 492 | 67.3 | 15.6 |
| | Labour | David Walker | 123 | 16.8 | 0.3 |
| | Green | John Hill | 116 | 15.9 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 369 | 50.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 731 | 40 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 7.7 | |

### Tideswell

Tideswell was still represented by one councillor and was slightly expanded.
Tideswell (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Neil Buttle | 514 | 66.5 | 24.4 |
| | Conservative | Harry Shirt | 259 | 33.5 | 1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 255 | 33.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 773 | 42 | |
| | Green hold | Green hold | Swing | 12.7 | |

### Wirksworth

Wirksworth was still represented by three councillors and was slightly expanded.
Wirksworth (3 Seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Pete Slack | 1,491 | 69.9 | 13.8 |
| | Labour | Dawn Greatorex | 1,454 | 68.2 | 8.6 |
| | Labour | Lucy Peacock | 1,375 | 64.5 | 10.4 |
| | Conservative | Steven Kennel | 567 | 26.6 | 2.7 |
| | Conservative | Paul Williamson | 559 | 26.2 | 2.3 |
| | Conservative | Tony Britner | 554 | 26.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 808 | 13.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,132 | 44 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 0.5 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Youlgrave

Youlgrave was a new ward which was to be represented by one councillor. It was broadly coterminous with the old ward of Lathkill and Bradford, which was also represented by one councillor.
Youlgrave (1 Seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Green | Laura Mellstrom | 390 | 43.5 | New |
| | Independent | Thomas Elliott | 307 | 34.2 | 51.8 |
| | Conservative | John Pearce | 200 | 22.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 83 | 9.3 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 897 | 50 | |
| | Green gain from Independent | Green gain from Independent | Swing | 47.7 | |

## By-elections
### Bakewell

Bakewell: 22 February 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Bob Butcher | 467 | 37.7 | +13.7 |
| | Conservative | Richard Walsh | 452 | 36.5 | −9.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Claire Cadogan | 161 | 13.0 | +4.9 |
| | Green | Nicola Peltell | 73 | 5.9 | −8.1 |
| | Reform UK | Lesley Crosby | 50 | 4.0 | New |
| | Independent | Rachel Elnaugh-Love | 36 | 2.9 | −5.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15 | 1.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,239 | 35 | −12 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |

### Norbury

Norbury: 22 February 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Sue Bull | 317 | 63.1 | −4.2 |
| | Labour | Bob Allen | 75 | 14.9 | −1.9 |
| | Green | John Hill | 65 | 12.9 | −2.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robin Shirtcliffe | 45 | 9.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 242 | 48.2 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 502 | 27 | −13 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Calver & Longstone

Calver & Longstone: 14 November 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Helen Froggatt | 290 | 47.6 | +2.2 |
| | Green | Sheelagh Handy | 263 | 43.2 | −11.4 |
| | Labour | Pam Ashley | 56 | 9.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27 | 4.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 609 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Green | Conservative gain from Green | Swing | | |