Slough Borough Council
Slough Borough Council is the local authority for the Borough of Slough, in the South East England Region of the United Kingdom. This article deals mainly with the unitary authority which was first elected, on a shadow basis, in 1997. It became the local authority for Slough on 1 April 1998. For some information about earlier Slough local authorities see Slough, Slough local elections and List of Mayors of Slough. History. Slough Local Board of Health was established in 1863, becoming an urban sanitary authority in 1875. The local board was replaced by Slough Urban District Council  formed in 1894 under the Local Government Act 1894. The council was granted a royal charter of incorporation as a municipal borough in 1938, becoming the Corporation of Slough or Slough Corporation. It was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972 on 1 April 1974, and replaced by Slough Borough Council, when the town was also transferred from Buckinghamshire to Berkshire. On 1 April 1998, Slough Borough Council became a unitary authority when Berkshire County Council was abolished, taking over the county council's former functions. Slough Town Hall on Bath Road was built in 1937 and served as the  council's headquarters until 2011. The council was then temporarily based at St Martin's Place at 51 Bath Road from 2011 to 2019, holding meetings at various venues in the town whilst looking for a new home closer to the town centre. In July 2018 the council bought Observatory House at 25 Windsor Road for a reported £41.3 million and converted it to become the council's main offices and meeting place, with the first council meetings in the building being held in September 2019. Bankruptcy (2021). On 2 July 2021, Slough Borough Council issued a section 114  notice due to serious financial issues at the local authority. In October 2021, the government announced plans to appoint external commissioners to help run the council after a series of damning reports highlighted major problems at the local authority. Membership by party after each election 1997–2008. Current council composition (2017) <cody>.</cody> Officeholders. "Key to parties: C Conservative, IBR Independent Britwellian Residents, Ind Independent, Lab Labour, LD Liberal Democrats, Lib Liberal, UKIP United Kingdom Independence Party." Committee Chairs 1999–2006. Chairs of Employment 2001–2004, Employment & Appeals 2004–2006 Chairs of Licensing Chairs of Planning Chairs of Scrutiny & Overview Chair of Standards  Group leaders from 1997. "Note (a): Britwellian, Independent, Liberal & Liberal Democrat Group; previously Liberal Group (1997–2000) and Independent, Liberal & Liberal Democrat Group (2000–2003)." Wards of Slough. Slough was first warded for the 1930 Slough Council election, when seven wards began to be used; Burnham (in the south-west of the district, the area now known as Cippenham), Central, Chalvey (to the south-west of Central and east of Burnham), Farnham (the north-west of the district), Langley (to the east of the district), Stoke (in the north of the district) and Upton (to the south-east of Central). Before the  1950 Slough Council election Burnham, Central, Farnham and Stoke were divided into North and South parts, making a total of eleven wards. In 1973 the expanded Slough district acquired two more wards, Britwell and Wexham Court (then using the same boundaries as the parishes newly included in the Slough area). The existing wards were not then redistributed but the number of seats was varied from the previous three each, so that wards returned between two and nine Councillors. For the 1983 Slough Council election there was a re-warding which created thirteen three-member wards. With the latest extension of  the Borough in 1995 the new parish of Colnbrook with Poyle became the single-member Borough ward of Colnbrook & Poyle. Colnbrook & Poyle was given a second seat for the 1997 Slough Council election. The thirteen wards established in 1983, plus Colnbrook with Poyle, were the wards used by the unitary authority between 1997 Slough Council election and 2003 Slough Council election. For 2004 Slough Council election the Borough was re-warded. There continue to be fourteen wards, but only Colnbrook with Poyle (formerly Colnbrook & Poyle) and Haymill had unchanged boundaries. Brief notes on the individual wards used since 1997. Baylis  (1983–2004) was a former three-member ward in the north of the Borough, to the south of Stoke. It was named after Baylis House and the estate of Baylis, which from the sixteenth century was a sub-division of the parish of Stoke Poges. This was a safe Labour ward, which only elected Labour Councillors throughout its existence. Councillors by Party: (1997–2004) 3 Labour. Baylis & Stoke (born 2004) is a three-member ward in the north of the Borough. It broadly combined the former Baylis and Stoke wards. The Liberal Democrats, building on the Liberal tradition of the former Stoke  ward, won all three seats in 2004. Councillors by Party: (2004–2006) 3 Liberal Democrats; (2006–) 2 Liberal Democrats, 1 Labour; (2007–) 2 Labour, 1 Liberal Democrats; (2008–) 3 Labour. Britwell (born 1973) is a three-member ward in the north-west of the Borough. It includes Britwell parish, although since 1983 some unparished territory was added. Britwell had elected some Liberal Councillors in the 1980s but was otherwise safely Labour until 2000. Since then Britwellian and Independent Britwellian Residents Councillors have become increasingly successful. In 1997 Labour won all three seats, but in 2004 the Residents took the three seats . Councillors by Party: (1997–2000) 3 Labour; (2000–2002) 2 Labour, 1 Britwellian; (2002) 2 Britwellian, 1 Labour; (2002–2003) 2 Independent Britwellian Residents, 1 Labour; (2003–) 3 Independent Britwellian Residents. Central (1930–1950 and 1983–) has had different boundaries during the three redistributions in which it has existed, but it has always been a three-member ward with Wexham to the north, Langley to the east, Upton to the south, Chalvey to the south-west and Baylis & Stoke to the west. It was part of the original parish of Upton-cum-Chalvey, although the hamlet of Slough (a few scattered houses and coaching  inns along the Great West Road and Windsor Road) was smaller than the villages of Upton and Chalvey until the Great Western Railway arrived in the 1840s. It was a safe Labour ward under the 1983 boundaries, but in 2004 the Conservatives won two of the three seats of the revised ward. Councillors by Party: (1997–2004) 3 Labour; (2004–2006) 2 Conservative, 1 Labour; (2006–) 2 Labour, 1 Conservative. Chalvey (born 1930), (in the south of the Borough) is a three-member ward. It was part of the ancient parish of Upton-cum-Chalvey and was an original ward of Slough . The ward has existed in some form continuously since 1930. Before 1970 Chalvey was Conservative but since then it has been safely Labour. The Liberal Democrats came within ten votes of winning a seat in the ward in 2004. Councillors by Party: (born 1997) 3 Labour. Cippenham (1983–2004) was a three-member ward in the south-west of the Borough. Cippenham was a village and now is a suburb of Slough. It saw considerable population growth in the 1990s with the development of the Windsor Meadows estate. This ward formed the core of two new wards from 2004. Cippenham was  one of the more politically marginal areas of Slough. It was Conservative in 1983–1984, 1987, 1992, 1999 and 2003 (six elections), but went Labour in 1986, 1988–1991, 1994–1997 and 2000–2002 (eleven elections). Councillors by Party: (1997–2001) 2 Labour, 1 Conservative; (2001–2002) 2 Conservative, 1 Labour; (2002–2004) 2 Labour, 1 Conservative. Cippenham Green (born 2004) is a three-member ward in the south-west of the Borough. It was one of the two wards based on the old Cippenham Ward. This area is the western part of the previous ward, incorporates the old village area (including the Green which the ward  is named after). In 2004 it elected 1 Conservative (since defected to UKIP) and 2 Labour Councillors. Councillors by Party: (2004–2005) 2 Labour, 1 Conservative; (2005–) 2 Labour, 1 UK Independence. Cippenham Meadows (born 2004) is a three-member ward in the south-west of the Borough. It was one of the two wards based on the old Cippenham Ward. This area is the eastern part of the previous ward, incorporates the Windsor Meadows development area (which presumably are the Meadows which the ward is named after). The ward elected 3 Labour Councillors in 2004. Councillors by Party: (born 2004 ) 3 Labour. Colnbrook & Poyle (1995–2004), Colnbrook with Poyle (born 2004) is a (since 1997) two-member ward in the furthest east part of the Borough between to the M4 motorway and Greater London. Labour elected some Councillors here, in 1995 and 1997 (1 seat), but by 2004 the ward was safely Conservative. Councillors by Party: (1997–2000) 1 Conservative, 1 Labour; (2000–) 2 Conservative. Farnham (1930–1950 and 1983–) is a three-member ward in the west of the Borough. It was named after the old Farnham Royal Parish. This is a safe Labour Ward, in 2004 as before. Councillors by Party : (born 1997) 3 Labour. Foxborough (born 1983) is a three-member ward in south (1983–2004) and now south-east Langley in the eastern part of the Borough. It is named after a area mentioned in connection with the inclosure of Langley Marish parish in 1809. This was the ward where the Liberal Democrats won their first election in Slough and the party held all three seats after the 2004 election. Councillors by Party: (1997–2000) 3 Labour; (2000–2004) 2 Labour, 1 Liberal Democrat; (2004–) 3 Liberal Democrats. Haymill (born 1983) is a three-member ward in the west of the Borough  (to the east of Farnham ward), which was left unchanged by the 2004 redistribution. It is a safe Liberal ward having last elected a non-Liberal councillor in 1984. Councillors by Party: (born 1997) 3 Liberal. Kedermister (born 1983) is a three-member ward in south-west Langley, in the eastern part of the Borough. The ward was named after Sir John Kedermister (or Kidderminster), who was Warden of Langley Park and founded some almshouses in Langley in 1617. It is a safe Labour ward. Councillors by Party: (born 1997) 3 Labour. Langley St Mary's (born 1983) is a  three-member ward in north Langley, in the eastern part of the Borough. St Mary's is named after the church in Langley. This has been a Labour/Conservative marginal ward, but in 2004 the Independent Langley Residents won two seats and tied for the third (which the Conservative candidate won on a roll of dice, so he was credited with an additional vote). The Conservative party gained one of the seats from the Independent Langley Residents in late 2006. Councillors by Party: (1997–2000) 2 Labour, 1 Conservative; (2000–2004) 2 Conservative, 1 Labour; (2004–2006) 2 Independent Langley Residents, 1 Conservative ; (2006–) 2 Conservative, 1 Independent Langley Residents.. Stoke (1930–1950 and 1983–2004) was a three-member ward in the north of the Borough, to the north of Baylis and west of Central. It was named after Stoke Poges parish. This is an area with a Liberal tradition. The Liberals held the then Stoke South ward 1973–1983 and Stoke North 1979–1983. Stoke ward was a Labour/Liberal marginal. Tight elections were common. For example, the Labour majority in 1986 was three. Councillors by Party: (1997–2000) 3 Labour; (2000–2002) 2 Labour, 1 Liberal; (2002–2004) 3 Labour. Upton (born 1930), part of the original  parish of Upton-cum-Chalvey (in the south of the modern Borough), was an original ward which has existed in some form continuously since 1930. It is a three-seat ward. Upton was the most Conservative area of Slough until demographic change made Labour competitive. Labour won the ward for the first time ever in 1990. In 1997 Labour won two seats and the Conservatives one. At the 2004 election the Conservatives won all three seats, although one councillor has since become an Independent Conservative. Councillors by Party: (1997–1999) 2 Labour, 1 Conservative; (1999–2001) 3 Conservative; (2001–2002) 2 Conservative, 1  Labour; (2002–2004) 2 Labour, 1 Conservative; (2004) 3 Conservative; (2004–2006) 2 Conservative, 1 Independent Conservative; (2006–) 1 Conservative, 1 Independent Conservative, 1 Labour. Wexham Lea (born 1983) is a three-member ward in the north of the Borough, to the east of Stoke and the north of Central ward. It combines Wexham Court parish and an area known as Upton Lea. The ward was formerly safely Labour but is now securely held by Independent Councillors who won all three seats in 2004. Councillors by Party: (1997–2000) 3 Labour; (2000–2002) 2 Labour, 1 Independent; (2002–2004) 2 Independent, 1 Labour; (2004–) 3  Independent. Members of Slough Borough Council 1997. "The 1997 Slough Council election was a whole Council election for a new authority. It was the 114th Slough General local election (including both elections by thirds and whole Council elections). Fourteen members (who received the highest vote in each ward) were elected for a full four-year term, fourteen members (who finished second in each ward) were to serve for three years and the remaining thirteen Councillors (who had finished third in all the wards except for the two member Colnbrook with Poyle ward) were given two-year terms." Notes: Changes 1997–1999 . Notes:- Elected 1999 (third of Council). "The 1999 Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a three-year term (13 members). The seats were last contested in 1997. It was the 115th Slough General local election. There was also an election to fill a vacant second seat in Upton ward for the balance of the term to 2001. The candidate who finished first in Upton would win the term to 2002 and the one who came second would serve for the remainder of the term to 2001." Notes:- Elected 2000 (third of Council). "The 2000  Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a three-year term (14 members). It was the 116th Slough General local election. The seats were last contested in 1997." Notes:- Changes 2000–2001. Mote:- Elected 2001 (third of Council). "The 2001 Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a three-year term (14 members). It was the 117th Slough General local election. The seats were last contested in 1997." Notes:- Elected 2002 (third of Council). "The 2002 Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a two-year  term (13 members). It was the 118th Slough General local election. The seats were last contested in 1999. There was also an election to fill a vacant second seat in Stoke ward for the balance of the term to 2003. The candidate who finished first in Stoke would win the term to 2004 and the one who came second would serve for the remainder of the term to 2003." Notes:- Changes 2002–2003. Notes:- Elected 2003 (third of Council). "The 2003 Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a one year term (14 members). It was  the 119th Slough General local election. The seats were last contested in 2000." Notes:- Members of Slough Borough Council 2004. "The 2004 Slough Council election was a whole Council election using new ward boundaries. It was the 120th Slough General local election (including both elections by thirds and whole Council elections) since 1863. Fourteen members (who received the highest vote in each ward) were elected for a full four-year term, fourteen members (who finished second in each ward) were to serve for three years and the remaining thirteen Councillors (who had finished third in all the wards except for  the two member Colnbrook with Poyle ward) were given two-year terms." Notes: Changes 2004–2006. Notes: Elected 2006 (third of Council). "The 2006 Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a four-year term (13 members). It was the 121st Slough General local election. The seats were last contested in 2004." Elected 2007 (third of Council). "The 2007 Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a four-year term (14 members). It was the 122nd Slough General local election. The seats were last contested in 2004." Elected 2008 (third of  Council). "The 2008 Slough Council election was to elect a third of the Council for a four-year term (14 members) and to fill a casual vacancy (1 member). It was the 123rd Slough General local election. The seats were last contested in 2004 (apart from the casual vacancy last contested in 2007)." Notes:- Members of Slough Borough Council as at 15 May 2008. Notes:-