1958 – 8th May – Kenilworth Urban District Council – Elections

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

*Mrs K. Alford	Independent	684
Ronald Stansfield	Conservative Party	637
*Mrs P. Huckvale	Independent	612
R. C. Mitchell	Labour Party	374
T. A. Ingram	Labour Party	368
G. R. Darkin	Labour Party	359

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

*Jack Cox	Conservative Party	938
*Eric Bernard Smith	Independent	839
*William Bostock	Independent	837
Chris Webster	Labour Party	724
Raymond Tanner	Labour Party	570
Arthur O’Connor	Labour Party	552

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

*Joseph Watts	Independent	660
T. J. Prentice	Conservative Party	621
Frederick Dodd	Conservative Party	516
F. W. Miller	Independent	413
Mrs A. Birch	Independent	393

Castle Ward (3 seats)

*Leonard Smalley	Independent	unopposed
*W. R. Taylor	Independent	unopposed
*Henry Watling	Independent	unopposed

*denotes retiring member

PUBLIC MEETINGS JUST FOR ‘RUBBER STAMPING’ SAY LABOUR

The Independent group hold a 8 to 4 majority over their rivals the Conservatives, one less than the election In 1955.

In their Election Address, the Kenilworth Labour Party, claimed that KUDC monthly public meetings were merely a procedure for ‘rubber stamping’ decisions made at committee. They stated that they deplored this attitude towards the ratepayers of the town. In their manifesto they said that the Square should be developed for the benefit of the people and not left until private enterprise decides to develop it for its own interest. Labour stood in only two wards with six candidates, all of which, failed to be elected.

There was no contest in the castle ward as Smalley, Taylor and Watling were elected unopposed. They have been ‘Kings of the Castle‘ since the 1952 election and any opposition would have been futile.

Former Councillor, Mr Flavel had resigned his seat two months before the election due to business commitments, which left him little time for council matters.

Only four Conservatives stood in the poll and all were elected. New to the council is Mr Prentice, who recently moved to Kenilworth and was a former conservative member for ten years on Coventry City Council. He is an accountant and company director.

KUDC Councillors

8 Independents (L. Smalley, W. Taylor, H. Watling, J. Watts, E. Smith, W.Bostock, Mrs Huckvale, Mrs Alford)

4 Conservatives (T. Prentice, F. Dodd, J. Cox, R. Stansfield)

Chairman 1958-61

Chairmans Chain of Office – Courtesy of Warwickshire County Records Office. (ref. PN (N) 600/147/3)