# Bridgnorth District

Bridgnorth District was a local government district in Shropshire, England, from 1974 to 2009. Its council was based in the town of Bridgnorth. The district also included the towns of Much Wenlock, Shifnal and Broseley and the villages of Albrighton and Sheriffhales, as well as RAF Cosford.

## History

The district was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972. The district covered the former Bridgnorth Rural District, and nearly all of the Shifnal Rural District, excluding a small part of Shifnal parish within the area of Telford New Town, which went to Wrekin district. The former municipal boroughs of Much Wenlock and Bridgnorth had been converted into rural boroughs in 1966 and 1967 respectively, making them part of Bridgnorth Rural District whilst retaining some of their civic dignities such as the right to appoint a mayor.
The new district created in 1974 was administered by Bridgnorth District Council until abolition on 31 March 2009. From 1 April 2009 the area was administered by the new Shropshire unitary authority created as part of the 2009 structural changes to local government in England.

## Energy policy

In May 2006, a report commissioned by British Gas showed that housing in the district of Bridgnorth produced the 12th highest average carbon emissions in the country at 7,176 kg of carbon dioxide per dwelling.

## Political control

The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority until coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 2009 was held by the following parties:
| Party in control | Party in control | Years |
| | Independent | 1973–2003 |
| | No overall control | 2003–2009 |

### Leadership

The last leader of the council was Elizabeth Yeomans, an independent.
| Councillor | Party | Party | From | To |
| Elizabeth Yeomans | | Independent | | 31 Mar 2009 |

## Elections

* 1973 Bridgnorth District Council election
* 1976 Bridgnorth District Council election
* 1979 Bridgnorth District Council election (New ward boundaries)
* 1983 Bridgnorth District Council election
* 1987 Bridgnorth District Council election
* 1991 Bridgnorth District Council election (District boundary changes took place but the number of seats remained the same)
* 1995 Bridgnorth District Council election
* 1999 Bridgnorth District Council election
* 2003 Bridgnorth District Council election (New ward boundaries)
* 2007 Bridgnorth District Council election

### By-election results

Harrington By-Election 31 July 1997 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | | 126 | 51.9 | +5.0 |
| | Conservative | | 117 | 48.2 | +48.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9 | 3.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 243 | 21.4 | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Liberal Democrats gain from Independent | Swing | | |
Sheriffhales By-Election 20 June 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | | 171 | 60.4 | +60.4 |
| | Independent | | 112 | 39.6 | −16.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 59 | 20.8 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 283 | 14.0 | |
| | Conservative gain from Independent | Conservative gain from Independent | Swing | | |
Ditton Priors By-Election 14 July 2005 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | | 295 | 62.5 | +11.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | | 177 | 37.5 | +37.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 118 | 25.0 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 472 | 36.0 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |