# 1997 Hertfordshire County Council election

Hertfordshire County Council elections was held on 1 May 1997, with all 77 seats contested. The Council remained under no overall control. The Conservatives formed the largest political group, but the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups formed a coalition to run the council.

## Results

Hertfordshire County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 38 | +11 | 49.35 | 40.10 | 229,983 |
| Labour | 30 | 0 | 38.96 | 35.16 | 201,619 |
| Liberal Democrats | 9 | -10 | 11.69 | 24.19 | 138,692 |
| Independent | 0 | -1 | 0.00 | 0.42 | 2,390 |
| Green | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.04 | 518 |
| Socialist Alliance | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.04 | 253 |

### By district

Broxbourne District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 6 | 100.00 | 50.83 | 22,186 |
| Labour | 0 | 0.00 | 33.85 | 14,777 |
| Liberal Democrats | 0 | 0.00 | 15.32 | 6,688 |
Dacorum District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 6 | 60.00 | 42.12 | 33,182 |
| Labour | 4 | 40.00 | 35.96 | 28,329 |
| Liberal Democrats | 0 | 0.00 | 21.92 | 17,271 |
East Herts District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 7 | 77.78 | 45.07 | 32,240 |
| Labour | 1 | 11.11 | 26.99 | 19,306 |
| Liberal Democrats | 1 | 11.11 | 25.41 | 18,179 |
| Independent | 0 | 0.00 | 1.81 | 1,293 |
| Green | 0 | 0.00 | 0.72 | 518 |
Hertsmere District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 4 | 57.15 | 43.80 | 22,066 |
| Labour | 2 | 28.57 | 34.42 | 17,340 |
| Liberal Democrats | 1 | 14.28 | 21.77 | 10,968 |
North Herts District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 5 | 55.55 | 41.19 | 27,702 |
| Labour | 4 | 44.45 | 36.98 | 24,873 |
| Liberal Democrats | 0 | 0.00 | 21.83 | 14,684 |
St Albans District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 3 | 30.00 | 36.27 | 27,669 |
| Liberal Democrats | 3 | 30.00 | 34.06 | 25,981 |
| Labour | 4 | 40.00 | 29.67 | 22,631 |
Stevenage District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Labour | 6 | 100.00 | 56.22 | 23,866 |
| Conservative | 0 | 0.00 | 27.82 | 11,811 |
| Liberal Democrats | 0 | 0.00 | 15.36 | 6,519 |
| Socialist Alliance | 0 | 0.00 | 0.60 | 253 |
Three Rivers District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Conservative | 3 | 50.00 | 40.22 | 18,234 |
| Liberal Democrats | 2 | 33.33 | 35.45 | 16,062 |
| Labour | 1 | 16.67 | 24.33 | 11,032 |
Watford District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Labour | 3 | 50.00 | 39.79 | 16,899 |
| Conservative | 1 | 16.67 | 32.01 | 13,593 |
| Liberal Democrats | 2 | 33.33 | 28.20 | 11,975 |
Welwyn Hatfield District County Council Election Results 1997 :
| Party | Seats | Seats % | Votes % | Votes |
| Labour | 5 | 62.50 | 40.80 | 22,566 |
| Conservative | 3 | 37.50 | 38.50 | 21,292 |
| Liberal Democrats | 0 | 0.00 | 18.72 | 10,355 |
| Independent | 0 | 0.00 | 1.98 | 1,097 |

## Division Results
### Broxbourne (6 Seats)

Cheshunt Central 1 May 1997 Broxbourne District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Michael Janes | 3,171 | 51.09 |
| | Labour | Christopher Simonovitch | 2,140 | 34.48 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Heather Campbell | 896 | 14.43 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,031 | 16.61 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,207 | 69.08 |
Cheshunt North 1 May 1997 Broxbourne District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Alan Searing | 3,208 | 48.27 |
| | Labour | Linda Dambrauskas | 2,586 | 38.91 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sheila Guy | 852 | 12.82 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 622 | 9.36 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,646 | 66.21 |
Cheshunt West 1 May 1997 Broxbourne District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Gerald Game | 4,721 | 56.50 |
| | Labour | James Meadows | 2,376 | 28.43 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Huse | 1,259 | 15.07 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,345 | 28.07 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,356 | 72.23 |
Hoddesdon North 1 May 1997 Broxbourne District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | John Morton | 3,417 | 48.23 |
| | Labour | Neil Harvey | 2,485 | 35.07 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Anthony Fey | 1,183 | 16.70 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 932 | 13.16 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,085 | 71.41 |
Hoddesdon South 1 May 1997 Broxbourne District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Moyra O'Neill | 4,259 | 55.32 |
| | Labour | James Emslie | 1,929 | 25.06 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Frank Bassill | 1,511 | 19.62 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,330 | 30.26 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,699 | 71.41 |
Waltham Cross 1 May 1997 Broxbourne District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Russell Thomas | 3,418 | 44.59 |
| | Labour | Mark Farrington | 3,261 | 42.54 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Doolan | 987 | 12.87 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 157 | 2.05 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,666 | 66.88 |

### Dacorum (10 Seats)

Berkhampstead 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Kenneth Coleman | 3,999 | 41.48 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Horton | 3,485 | 36.15 |
| | Labour | Paul Dyett | 2,157 | 22.37 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 514 | 5.33 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,641 | 78.05 |
Bridgewater 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Julian Taunton | 3,709 | 57.27 |
| | Labour | Brian Fisher | 1,527 | 23.58 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Margaret Hawgood | 1,240 | 19.15 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,182 | 33.69 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,476 | 78.78 |
Hemel Hempstead East 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Peter Channell | 3,234 | 45.23 |
| | Labour | Christina Letanka | 2,837 | 39.67 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Carol Richardson | 1,080 | 15.10 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 397 | 5.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,151 | 78.96 |
Hemel Hempstead North East 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Brian Wing | 3,301 | 44.49 |
| | Conservative | Sonia Sullivan | 2,640 | 35.59 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Blackman | 1,478 | 19.92 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 661 | 8.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,419 | 70.13 |
Hemel Hempstead North West 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Ian Laidlaw-Dickson | 4,014 | 48.98 |
| | Conservative | Anthony Gallagher | 2,863 | 34.93 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Raymond Hardy | 1,319 | 16.09 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,151 | 14.05 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,196 | 78.35 |
Hemel Hempstead St Paul 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Richard Hebborn | 3,394 | 52.65 |
| | Conservative | Janice Marshall | 1,663 | 25.79 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Geoffrey Lawrence | 1,390 | 21.56 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,731 | 26.86 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,447 | 73.73 |
Hemel Hempstead South East 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Philip Aldis | 3,979 | 48.07 |
| | Conservative | John Jameson | 2,915 | 35.21 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Witt | 1,384 | 16.72 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,064 | 12.86 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,278 | 75.57 |
Hemel Hempstead Town 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Jennifer Beesley | 4,149 | 45.69 |
| | Labour | Robert Hutchinson | 3,292 | 36.25 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robert Pexton | 1,640 | 18.06 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 857 | 9.44 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,081 | 76.75 |
Kings Langley 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Janet Anderson | 3,825 | 53.72 |
| | Labour | Peter Kraft | 2,007 | 28.18 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christine Ayrton | 1,289 | 18.10 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,818 | 25.54 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,121 | 80.25 |
Tring 1 May 1997 Dacorum District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Stanley Mills | 4,185 | 46.64 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Brooks | 2,966 | 33.06 |
| | Labour | Dilys Carter | 1,821 | 20.30 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,219 | 13.58 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,972 | 77.95 |

### East Herts (9 Seats)

All Saints 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Francis Escott | 2,888 | 37.59 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Simon Knott | 2,643 | 34.40 |
| | Labour | Barbara Lerner | 2,152 | 28.01 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 245 | 3.19 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,683 | 77.94 |
Bishop's Stortford Central Parsonage 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gerald Francis | 3,055 | 37.67 |
| | Conservative | John Wyllie | 2,894 | 35.69 |
| | Labour | Philip Tripp | 2,160 | 26.64 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 161 | 1.98 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,109 | 73.48 |
Bishop's Stortford Chantry Thorley 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Bernard Engel | 4,686 | 49.65 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Graham | 2,555 | 27.07 |
| | Labour | Richard Bayliss | 1,941 | 20.57 |
| | Green | Richard Goate | 256 | 2.71 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,131 | 22.58 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,438 | 76.10 |
Braughing 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Jane Pitman | 4,121 | 54.26 |
| | Labour | Amanda Porter | 1,928 | 25.38 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Harris | 1,546 | 20.36 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,193 | 28.88 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,595 | 78.39 |
Hertford Rural 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Bryan Hammond | 4,557 | 52.33 |
| | Labour | Thomas McNicholas | 2,527 | 29.01 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Wing | 1,625 | 18.66 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,030 | 23.32 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,709 | 79.46 |
St Andrews 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Norman Lindop | 2,838 | 44.55 |
| | Conservative | James Thornton | 2,426 | 38.08 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jack Coote | 1,106 | 17.37 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 412 | 6.47 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,370 | 75.43 |
Sawbridgeworth 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Mary Bayes | 3,405 | 41.83 |
| | Labour | Julia Madell | 1,666 | 20.47 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew MacPherson | 1,514 | 18.60 |
| | Independent | Bryan Smalley | 1,293 | 15.88 |
| | Green | Suzanne Mackenzie | 262 | 3.22 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,739 | 21.36 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,140 | 75.92 |
Ware North 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | David Beatty | 3,171 | 41.31 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Coleman | 2,498 | 32.54 |
| | Labour | John Courtneidge | 2,007 | 26.15 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 673 | 8.77 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,676 | 76.05 |
Ware South 1 May 1997 East Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Richard Copping | 4,092 | 52.35 |
| | Labour | Jenny Holland | 2,087 | 26.70 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Victoria Shaw | 1,637 | 20.95 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,005 | 25.65 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,816 | 73.09 |

### Hertsmere (7 Seats)

Bushey Heath 1 May 1997 Hertsmere District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Peter Riches | 3,345 | 55.18 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Roger Kutchinsky | 1,641 | 27.07 |
| | Labour | David Bearfield | 1,076 | 17.75 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,704 | 28.11 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,062 | 76.23 |
Bushey North 1 May 1997 Hertsmere District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michael Colne | 3,724 | 49.40 |
| | Conservative | Audrey Attwood | 2,376 | 31.52 |
| | Labour | Dinah Hoeksma | 1,438 | 19.08 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,348 | 17.88 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,538 | 74.95 |
Elstree 1 May 1997 Hertsmere District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Brian York | 3,634 | 45.54 |
| | Conservative | Howard Spratt | 3,321 | 41.62 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mark Silverman | 1,025 | 12.84 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 313 | 3.92 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,980 | 71.37 |
Lyndhurst 1 May 1997 Hertsmere District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | John Metcalf | 4,010 | 55.77 |
| | Conservative | David McKee | 2,236 | 31.09 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lynne Hodgson | 945 | 13.14 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,774 | 24.68 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,191 | 68.57 |
Potters Bar North East 1 May 1997 Hertsmere District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Alexandra Gray | 3,125 | 52.93 |
| | Labour | Michael Brilliant | 1,798 | 30.45 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Sean Bishop | 981 | 16.62 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,327 | 22.48 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,904 | 75.56 |
Potters Bar South West 1 May 1997 Hertsmere District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | John Usher | 3,231 | 46.19 |
| | Labour | Michael Elliot | 2,432 | 34.76 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Colin Dean | 1,333 | 19.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 799 | 11.43 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,996 | 75.93 |
Watling 1 May 1997 Hertsmere District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Anthony Kilkerr | 4,432 | 50.92 |
| | Labour | Richard Kirk | 2,952 | 33.92 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Roger Briggs | 1,319 | 15.16 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,480 | 17.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,703 | 75.54 |

### North Herts (9 Seats)

Hitchin North East 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Frederick Peacock | 4,304 | 55.37 |
| | Conservative | Nigel Brook | 2,148 | 27.64 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jonathan Heath | 1,321 | 16.99 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,156 | 27.73 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,773 | 74.02 |
Hitchin South 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Derrick Ashley | 2,734 | 43.97 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robert Lord | 1,996 | 32.10 |
| | Labour | Jean Twose | 1,488 | 23.93 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 738 | 11.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,218 | |
Knebworth & Codicote 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Robert Ellis | 4,688 | 65.48 |
| | Labour | Timothy Liddy | 2,471 | 34.52 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,217 | 30.96 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,159 | 79.93 |
Letchworth East & Baldock 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Neil Haslam | 3,833 | 41.94 |
| | Conservative | Bernard Crow | 3,387 | 37.07 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John White | 1,918 | 20.99 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 446 | 4.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,138 | 75.03 |
Letchworth North West 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Nigel Agar | 3,680 | 52.01 |
| | Conservative | Raymond Shakespeare-Smith | 2,134 | 30.16 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Marion Minards-Gammell | 1,262 | 17.83 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,546 | 21.85 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,076 | 74.99 |
Letchworth South 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Keith Emsall | 3,134 | 37.35 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Winder | 2,722 | 32.44 |
| | Labour | John Gardner | 2,535 | 30.21 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 412 | 4.91 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,391 | 78.09 |
North Herts Rural 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Jane Dwerryhouse-Spears | 3,354 | 50.61 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Roger Pritchard | 1,980 | 29.87 |
| | Labour | Kenneth Garland | 1,294 | 19.52 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,374 | 20.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,628 | 81.23 |
Offa 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Simon Tendeter | 2,901 | 43.11 |
| | Conservative | Wilfred Aspinall | 2,717 | 40.37 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Victoria Warwick | 1,112 | 16.52 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 184 | 2.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,730 | 75.07 |
Royston 1 May 1997 North Herts District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Doug Drake | 3,406 | 41.81 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Patricia Baxter | 2,373 | 29.13 |
| | Labour | Robin King | 2,367 | 29.06 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,033 | 12.68 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,146 | 76.08 |

### St Albans (10 Seats)

Harpenden North East 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | David Lloyd | 3,599 | 42.53 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Waddilove | 3,067 | 36.24 |
| | Labour | Harold Homes | 1,797 | 21.23 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 532 | 6.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,463 | 78.67 |
Harpenden South West 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Iris Tarry | 4,676 | 55.10 |
| | Liberal Democrats | James Ogborn | 2,466 | 29.06 |
| | Labour | Rosemary Ross | 1,344 | 15.84 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,210 | 26.04 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,486 | 80.35 |
St Albans Central 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher White | 3,056 | 42.74 |
| | Labour | John Whale | 2,343 | 32.76 |
| | Conservative | Victor Holley | 1,752 | 24.50 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 713 | 9.98 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,151 | 76.70 |
St Albans East 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Jill Gipps | 3,169 | 41.37 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Biddle | 2,649 | 34.58 |
| | Conservative | Michael Elsdon | 1,842 | 24.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 520 | 6.79 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,660 | 77.15 |
St Albans North 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Roma Mills | 2,961 | 37.40 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Warren | 2,530 | 31.96 |
| | Conservative | Clare Ellis | 2,426 | 30.64 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 431 | 5.44 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,917 | 79.17 |
St Albans Rural 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Derek Hills | 3,194 | 44.48 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Niel Clements | 2,279 | 31.74 |
| | Labour | Michael Fletcher | 1,708 | 23.78 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 915 | 12.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,181 | 78.26 |
St Albans South 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Michael Wilson | 2,994 | 36.92 |
| | Conservative | John Smith | 2,743 | 33.83 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Elizabeth Penton | 2,372 | 29.25 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 251 | 3.09 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,109 | 78.74 |
St Stephen's 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michael Moore | 3,215 | 39.75 |
| | Conservative | Gordon Myland | 3,045 | 37.65 |
| | Labour | Patricia Allen | 1,828 | 22.60 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 170 | 2.10 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,088 | 77.33 |
Sandridge 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Geoffrey Churchard | 2,907 | 42.32 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Whiteside | 2,602 | 37.89 |
| | Labour | Janetta Gibbs | 1,359 | 19.79 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 305 | 4.43 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,868 | 79.95 |
The Colneys 1 May 1997 St Albans District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Rosemary Sanderson | 3,128 | 49.20 |
| | Conservative | Derek jeffrey | 1,790 | 28.15 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Priestman | 1,440 | 22.65 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,338 | 21.05 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,358 | 71.82 |

### Stevenage (6 Seats)

Bedwell 1 May 1997 Stevenage District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Tanis Kent | 3,988 | 65.31 |
| | Conservative | Sheila Woods | 1,404 | 23.00 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Katherine Lloyd | 714 | 11.69 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,584 | 42.31 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,106 | 75.19 |
Broadwater 1 May 1997 Stevenage District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Ann Webb | 3,640 | 56.15 |
| | Conservative | Peter McPartland | 1,853 | 28.59 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jonathan Amblin | 989 | 15.26 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,787 | 27.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,482 | 75.51 |
Chells 1 May 1997 Stevenage District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Brian Hall | 3,201 | 56.57 |
| | Conservative | Gwen Hegan | 1,273 | 22.50 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Margaret Latham | 1,184 | 20.93 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,928 | 34.07 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,658 | 75.97 |
Old Stevenage 1 May 1997 Stevenage District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Robert Clark | 4,261 | 50.69 |
| | Conservative | Ralph Dimelow | 2,840 | 33.79 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Moorcroft | 1,305 | 15.52 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,421 | 16.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,406 | 75.15 |
St Nicholas 1 May 1997 Stevenage District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Reginald Smith | 4,743 | 51.95 |
| | Conservative | Edward Hegan | 2,866 | 31.39 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mary Griffith | 1,521 | 16.66 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,877 | 20.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,130 | 73.69 |
Shephall 1 May 1997 Stevenage District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Stanley Munden | 4,033 | 60.49 |
| | Conservative | Sherree Huetson | 1,575 | 23.62 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Barbara Segadelli | 806 | 12.09 |
| | Socialist Alliance | Jane James | 253 | 3.80 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,458 | 36.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,667 | 73.50 |

### Three Rivers (6 Seats)

Abbots Langley 1 May 1997 Three Rivers District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Goggins | 4,036 | 42.16 |
| | Conservative | Richard Simons | 2,900 | 30.29 |
| | Labour | Derek Peters | 2,637 | 27.55 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,136 | 11.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,573 | 77.03 |
Chorleywood 1 May 1997 Three Rivers District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Gerald Pulman | 3,890 | 48.17 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Timothy Venner | 3,416 | 42.30 |
| | Labour | Mary Bruce | 770 | 9.53 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 474 | 5.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,076 | 79.73 |
Croxley 1 May 1997 Three Rivers District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Thomas Ambrose | 3,495 | 52.46 |
| | Conservative | Francis Williams | 2,146 | 32.21 |
| | Labour | Dilys Freeman | 1,021 | 15.33 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,349 | 20.25 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,662 | 80.70 |
Oxhey Park 1 May 1997 Three Rivers District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Frances Button | 3,755 | 52.31 |
| | Labour | David Lake | 1,721 | 23.97 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Stuart Glen | 1,703 | 23.72 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,034 | 28.34 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,179 | 76.54 |
Rickmansworth 1 May 1997 Three Rivers District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Barbara Lamb | 4,095 | 50.24 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Struck | 2,359 | 28.94 |
| | Labour | Kevin Harley | 1,697 | 20.82 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,736 | 21.30 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,151 | 76.93 |
South Oxhey 1 May 1997 Three Rivers District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Jane Hobday | 3,186 | 55.92 |
| | Conservative | Anna Gardiner | 1,448 | 25.42 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Raymond Tully | 1,063 | 18.66 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,738 | 30.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,697 | 67.09 |

### Watford (6 Seats)

Callowland Leggatts 1 May 1997 Watford District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Elizabeth Rafferty | 2,999 | 51.21 |
| | Conservative | Timothy Williams | 1,518 | 25.92 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Joyce Richmond | 1,339 | 22.87 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,481 | 25.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,856 | 71.65 |
Central Oxhey 1 May 1997 Watford District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Graham Burrow | 2,651 | 37.44 |
| | Labour | John Dowdle | 2,440 | 34.46 |
| | Conservative | Geoffrey Greenstreet | 1,990 | 28.10 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 211 | 2.98 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,081 | 70.71 |
Meriden Tudor 1 May 1997 Watford District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Maria Green | 3,760 | 48.19 |
| | Conservative | Sheila Jones | 2,473 | 31.69 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Roy Laslett | 1,570 | 20.12 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,287 | 16.50 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,803 | 74.77 |
Nascot Park 1 May 1997 Watford District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Julia Price | 3,695 | 50.03 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Jenkins | 1,963 | 26.58 |
| | Labour | Steven Palmer | 1,727 | 23.39 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,732 | 23.45 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,385 | 76.02 |
Vicarage Hollywell 1 May 1997 Watford District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Abdul Choudhrey | 3,676 | 52.28 |
| | Conservative | Paul Jenkins | 2,078 | 29.55 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ahmed Zafar | 1,278 | 18.17 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,598 | 22.73 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,032 | 67.33 |
Woodside Stanborough 1 May 1997 Watford District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Democrats | Aislinn Lee | 3,174 | 43.42 |
| | Labour | Glyn Abraham | 2,297 | 31.42 |
| | Conservative | David Hobbs | 1,839 | 25.16 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 877 | 12.00 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,310 | 73.64 |

### Welwyn Hatfield (8 Seats)

Haldens 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Robert Mays | 3,820 | 48.68 |
| | Conservative | Keith Pieri | 2,571 | 32.77 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Maurice Richardson | 1,456 | 18.55 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,249 | 15.91 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,847 | 77.91 |
Hatfield East 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Hilary Burningham | 2,561 | 42.93 |
| | Labour | Susan Jones | 2,300 | 38.56 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lis Mayland-Smith | 1,104 | 18.51 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 261 | 4.37 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,965 | 76.55 |
Hatfield North 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Frank Clayton | 3,360 | 53.85 |
| | Conservative | John Morgan | 1,755 | 28.13 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alexander Benakis | 1,124 | 18.02 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,605 | 25.72 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,239 | 75.39 |
Hatfield South 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | George Wenham | 2,355 | 40.76 |
| | Conservative | Balwant Kachiwala | 1,341 | 23.21 |
| | Independent | Deborah Piper | 1,097 | 18.98 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Griffiths | 985 | 17.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,014 | 77.09 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,778 | 17.55 |
North Mymms 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | William Storey | 4,321 | 67.58 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Robin DuBow | 1,110 | 17.36 |
| | Labour | Margaret Toch | 963 | 15.06 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,211 | 50.22 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,394 | 78.50 |
Welwyn 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Richard Smith | 3,816 | 50.50 |
| | Labour | Hilary Sepahy | 2,101 | 27.81 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Daniel Cooke | 1,639 | 21.69 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,715 | 22.69 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,556 | 81.64 |
Welwyn Garden City South 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | David Kerr | 3,684 | 56.76 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Peffer | 1,654 | 25.49 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gregory Beecroft | 1,152 | 17.75 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,030 | 31.27 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,490 | 78.37 |
Welwyn Garden City West 1 May 1997 Welwyn Hatfield District :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Michael Hobday | 3,983 | 44.06 |
| | Conservative | Kenneth Jackson | 3,273 | 36.20 |
| | Liberal Democrats | William Corbishley | 1,785 | 19.74 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 710 | 7.86 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,041 | 80.38 |

## Changes 1997–2001

A by-election was held in Hemel Hempstead South East division on 10 June 1999, triggered by the death of Labour councillor Philip Aldis in March 1999. The seat was won for the Conservatives by David Lloyd. The Conservatives then had 39 seats, giving them a majority on the council over the Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition. The Conservative leader, Robert Ellis, was formally confirmed as the new leader of the council at a meeting on 15 June 1999.