2007 – 3rd May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (5 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Ann BlacklockLiberal Democrats1405
*Michael Francis CokerConservative Party1390
*George Reginald IllingworthConservative Party1288
Daphne Rose HarrisonConservative Party1224
*Patrick Joseph RyanLiberal Democrats1170
Katherine Sara DicksonLiberal Democrats1152
Thomas Anthony DaltonConservative Party1135
Alan RickersConservative Party1130
John Richard WhitehouseLiberal Democrats1063
Susan Helen EdwardsLiberal Democrats1036

Turnout 51%

Electorate 5136

Ballot Papers Issued 2625 (23 Spoilt Papers)

Park Hill Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*David John ShiltonConservative Party1673
*Felicity Gena BunkerConservative Party1611
Andrew James MobbsConservative Party1528
*Spencer Charlton HarrisonConservative Party1506
Patricia May CainConservative Party1482
*Ursula Stella DurrantConservative Party1443
*Alison Rita Margaret TylerLiberal Democrats1018
*Douglas Alan GolbyLiberal Democrats1006
Kevin HoltLiberal Democrats918
Eric Lewis DealLiberal Democrats891
Mary Latham HarrisonLiberal Democrats860
Ian Malcolm FenwickLiberal Democrats843
Maureen Teresa HazelwoodLabour Party310

Turnout 45%

Electorate 6375

Ballot Papers Issued 2889 (15 Spoilt Papers)

St John’s Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Richard Ivor Graham DaviesConservative Party1686
*Pauline Winifred EdwardsConservative Party1674
*John Edmond HatfieldConservative Party1656
*Alan James Lancaster CockburnConservative Party1635
*Norman John VincentConservative Party1577
*Susan Vera HowellConservative Party1567
Richard Guy DicksonLiberal Democrats777
Richard SweeneyLiberal Democrats707
John Steven WilsonLiberal Democrats687
Peter Joseph SheilsLabour Party630
Matthew John FeeleyLabour Party613
Robin Rain WinnLabour Party588
George Albert JonesBritish National Party294
*denotes retiring councillor

Turnout 49%

Electorate 5850

Ballot Papers Issued 2847 (25 Spoilt Papers)

TORIES DOMINATE – AFTER TECHNICAL HITCH

Following gremlins with the new electronic counting system, in which two counts had to be abandoned, the counting in the end, had to be done the good old fashioned-way, manually. This delayed the results by a several days, the count began last Thursday night – 3rd May – but didn’t end until Tuesday 7th May.

The Conservatives stormed to a convincing victory over their rivals, with a 13 seat majority. They totally dominated St Johns and Park Hill, taking all 12 seats. In Abbey they got three from five seats, the other two went to the Lib-Dems, Ann Blacklock and Pat Ryan. Overall the Lib-Dems lost three seats, leaving them with only two seats on the council. Doug Golby lost his seat in Park Hill which he had held since 1995. Also in Park Hill, Alison Tyler, failed to retain her seat having been elected in the 2004 by-election.

Although switching from the Lib-Dems to the Tories, Dave Shilton still retained his seat on the council, coming top-of-the-pile in Park Hill. The other eleven Tories who stood for re-election were all successful, including Susan Howell who retained her seat following her by-election victory last year. New faces on the Tory benches include, Andrew Mobbs, Patricia Cain and Daphne Harrison. Michael Coker said he was delighted at the results, the Liberal Democrats were virtually wiped-out with the exception of Cllr Blacklock and Cllr Pat Ryan, who we are glad to see elected as he is to become the Mayor next week. It will be two or three days before we celebrate, we have a lot of hard work to do.

Independent member, Trevor Martin of Kenilworth Regeneration, who was elected to the council four years ago, did not seek re-election.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

15 Conservative Party (R. Davies, P. Edwards, J. Hatfield, A. Cockburn, N. Vincent, S. Howell, D. Shilton, F. Bunker, A. Mobbs, S. Harrison, P. Cain, U. Durrant, M. Coker, G. Illingworth, D. Harrison)

2 Liberal Democrats (A. Blacklock, P. Ryan)

Mayors

2007-08 Patrick Ryan

2008-09 Spencer Harrison

2009-10 Richard Davies

2010-11 Susan Howell

2011 – 5th May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (5 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Michael Francis CokerConservative Party1526
*George Reginald IllingworthConservative Party1417
Katherine Sara DicksonLiberal Democrats1386
*Patrick Joseph RyanLiberal Democrats1339
John Anthony CookeConservative Party1335
Susan McGowanLiberal Democrats1241
Andrew John Guy GarsedConservative Party1234
Rowena Ann HillConservative Party1227

Registered Voters 5099

Ballot Papers Issued 2935 (134 spoilt papers)

Turnout 57.6%

Park Hill Wards (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Dave John ShiltonConservative Party2036
*Felicity Gena BunkerConservative Party1898
*Andrew James MobbsConservative Party1808
Shirley Beatrice ShiltonConservative Party1711
Michael Charles HitchinsConservative Party1638
Mark Vivian LewisConservative Party1631
Alison Rita Margaret TylerLiberal Democrats1271
Mary Latham HarrisonLiberal Democrats1228
Andrew Christopher TullochLiberal Democrats1185

Registered Voters 6397

Ballot Papers Issued 3432 (164 spoilt papers)

Turnout 53.6%

St John’s Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Alan James Lancaster CockburnConservative Party1712
Erica DaviesConservative Party1677
*Pauline Winifred EdwardsConservative Party1629
*Richard Ivor Graham DaviesConservative Party1614
John Stephen DaggConservative Party1550
*Norman John VincentConservative Party1546
Gillian Ann PalmerLiberal Democrats1167
Richard Guy DicksonLiberal Democrats1146
Ian Malcolm FenwickLiberal Democrats990
*denotes retiring councillor

Registered Voters 5808

Ballot Papers Issued 3122 (151 spoilt papers)

Turnout 53.7%

TORIES CONSOLIDATE

The Conservatives kept the same majority of 13, just like the 2007 election. The only change being seven new councillors, including two married couples.

One new Tory is Shirley Shilton (pictured), wife of Dave Shilton, who were both elected in Park Hill. The other married couple are Erica and Richard Davies, elected in St. John’s.

Tory, John Cooke returns to the town council after 20 long years away, he had previously served from 1979 to 1991. New to the Tories is John Dagg, who was easily elected in St. John’s.

The Lib-Dems have a new face, Katherine Dickson who was elected in Abbey ward along with veteran Pat Ryan who retained his seat, which he has held for the past eight years.

Spoilt Papers Galore

A not so good statistic of the election was the amount of spoilt ballot papers. Each ward had over 100, totalling 449 in all. A record by a long way. The official reasons given for the spoilt papers were: ‘being un-marked’, ‘wholly void for uncertainty’ or for ‘voting for too many candidates’. However, it has to be noted that the Labour party did not put forward any candidates in this election, which may have resulted in some sort of ‘protest vote’, due to their non-participation.

John Whitehouse, Lib-Dem, WCC member for Abbey ward, said that he found it very interesting that the Lib-Dems called for a smaller town council, and then people voted for fewer councillors than the number they were allowed to vote for on their ballot paper.

Mayors

2011-12 Dave Shilton (pictured)

2012-13 George Illingworth

2013-14 Felicity Bunker

2014-15 John Cooke

Kenilworth Town Councillors

15 Conservatives (D. Shilton, S. Shilton, E. Davies, R. Davies, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, J. Dagg, N. Vincent, M. Lewis, M. Hitchins, F. Bunker, A. Mobbs, M. Coker, J. Cooke, G. Illingworth)

2 Liberal Democrats (K. Dickson, P. Ryan)

2015 – 7th May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (5 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Michael Francis CokerConservative Party1580
*George Reginald IllingworthConservative Party1516
Rowena Ann HillConservative Party1481
Helen DelaneyConservative Party1406
*Katherine Sara DicksonLiberal Democrats1378
James MaherConservative Party1239
John Richard WhitehouseLiberal Democrats1217
Alison Rita Margaret TylerLiberal Democrats1165
Andrew TullochLiberal Democrats1131
Andrew BrierleyLiberal Democrats1042
Joshua PayneLabour Party743
Rhiannon FreguelliTrade Union and Social Coalition241

Park Hill Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Dave John ShiltonConservative Party2873
*Felicity Gena BunkerConservative Party2777
*Andrew James MobbsConservative Party2709
Richard John HalesConservative Party2599
*Shirley Beatrice ShiltonConservative Party2475
*Michael Charles HitchinsConservative Party2344
Jeremy EastaughLabour Party1736

St John’s Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
Patricia May CainConservative Party2448
*Richard Ivor DaviesConservative Party2383
Marilyn BatesConservative Party2356
*John Anthony CookeConservative Party2341
Alastair BatesConservative Party2248
Clive NelsonConservative Party1718
Richard Guy DicksonLiberal Democrats1615
Gillian Ann PalmerLiberal Democrats1431
Richard GrimesLabour Party1161
Lynn Annette PollardLiberal Democrats1115
Mary Latham HarrisonLiberal Democrats1088
Nicholas HotenLabour Party1065
Ian Malcolm FenwickLiberal Democrats1061
Peter Joseph ShielsLabour Party1036
John Steven WilsonLiberal Democrats939
*denotes sitting councillor

LANDSLIDE FOR CONSERVATIVES

It was hardy a contest in the town election this year, which left only one non-Tory on the council. Lib-Dem, Kate Dickson was the soul survivour, retaining her seat in Abbey ward.

In Park Hill, if it wasn’t for Jeremy Eastaugh of the Labour Party, there wouldn’t have been an election at all. With six seats up for grabs, only seven candidates stood. The Lib-Dems deeming it a Tory stronghold, so wasn’t worth contesting. They were dead right.

Lib-Dem, Patrick Ryan, who had been on the council (Abbey Ward) for the last 12 years, did not seek re-election. He first stood in a town election way back in 1987, and was elected to the council between 1991 and 1999.

Following retirements and resignations, the Conservatives have seven newcomers to Jubilee House. Helen Delaney and Rowena Hill in Abbey Ward, Richard Hales in Park Hill and Pat Cain, Marilyn Bates, Alastair Bates and Clive Nelson in St. John’s. John Cooke will become the leader of the council and Michael Coker, the Mayor.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

16 Conservatives (M.Coker, J. Cooke, P. Cain, R. Davies, M. Bates, A. Bates, C. Nelson, D. Shilton, S. Shilton, F. Bunker, A. Mobbs, R. Hales, M. Hitchins, G. Illingworth, R. Hill, H. Delaney)

1 Liberal Democrat (K. Dickson)

Mayors

2015-16 Michael Coker

2016-17 Richard Davies

2017-18 Kate Dickson (pictured)

2018-19 Michael Hitchins

Town Clerk – Maggie Field

2017 – 4th May – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

St. John’s Ward

CandidatePartyVotes% vote
Richard Guy DicksonLiberal Democrats129742.91
Joe CarterConservative Party120239.77
Jeremy EastaughLabour Party2999.89
Alix Margaret Dearing Green Party1274.20
Susan Mabel ChambersUnited Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP)993.27
Majority 95

Electorate 6679 (Turnout 49%)

Ballot Papers Issued 3024 (2 Spoilt Papers)

RICHARD JOINS WIFE ON COUNCIL

The election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative, Alistar Bates who was moving to New Zealand. He had been elected to the council two years previously.

After five previous town council elections, stretching back 22 years, all in the Tory stronghold of St. John’s, Richard Dickson’s long fight for a seat on the council, has finally come to fruition. His determination and perseverance has won him the day.

In a tight contest, he fought off Tory rival Joe Carter by just 95 votes.

Richard Dickson now joins his wife Kate at Jubilee House, but the Lib-Dems have an up-hill struggle with just two councillors as opposed to 15 Tories. Good luck, Mr & Mrs Dickson!

Kenilworth Town Councillors

15 Conservatives (M.Coker, J. Cooke, P. Cain, R. Davies, M. Bates, C. Nelson, D. Shilton, S. Shilton, F. Bunker, A. Mobbs, R. Hales, M. Hitchins, G. Illingworth, R. Hill, H. Delaney)

2 Liberal Democrats (K. Dickson, R. Dickson)

2019 – 2nd May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (2 seats)

St. John’s Ward (4 seats)

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

Dalehouse Ward (4 seats)

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

ARRIVAL OF THE GREENS – TORIES ROUTED

Kenilworth Town Councillors (17 members)

8 Green Party (P. Jones, A. Firth, T. Drew, A. Kennedy, A. Dearing, J. Dearing, P. Austin, P. Barry)

7 Liberal Democrats (K. Dickson, R. Dickson, G. Hyde, S. Cooke, A. Chalmers, J. Worrall, A. Milton)

2 Conservative Party (J. Cooke, M. Coker)

Mayors

(photo courtesy of the Kenilworth History & Archaeology Society)

2021 – 6th May – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

St John’s Ward

LIB-DEMS LOSE SEAT TO TORIES

Kenilworth Town Councillors (17 seats)

8 Green Party (P. Jones, A. Firth, T. Drew, A. Kennedy, A. Dearing, J. Dearing, P. Austin, P. Barry)

6 Liberal Democrats (K. Dickson, R. Dickson, G. Hyde, S. Cooke, A. Chalmers, A. Milton)

3 Conservative Party (J. Cooke, M. Coker, R. Spencer)

2023 – 4th May – Kenilworth Town Council – Elections

Abbey Ward (2 seats)

St John’s Ward (4 seats)

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

Dalehouse Ward (4 seats)

Borrowell Ward (3 seats)

GLORIOUS GREENS MARCH ON – LIB-DEMS CONSOLIDATE

Green Councillors – Peter Jones, Mark Stevens and Zoe Leventhal

Same Again For Liberal Democrats

No Tories Left on Council

Voter ID Arrives

Polling Stations

Polling Station in the car park of the Queen & Castle pub (Abbey Ward)

Fancy an Election Job?

Kenilworth Town Councillors (17 seats)