1999 – 6th May – Warwick District Council Elections – Kenilworth

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
Michael Francis CokerConservative Party1168
*Haydn Alan ThomasLiberal Democrats1159
Helen PavierLiberal Democrats1112
John Edmund HatfieldConservative Party1081
Andrea Mary WoollerConservative Party1017
*Patrick Joseph RyanLiberal Democrats1012
Margaret Susan LevyLabour Party430
Rosemary May EllisLabour Party417
Christopher John PayneLabour Party389
Tristan Benedict Anstis CookeGreen Party144

Registered Voters 6535

Ballot Paper Issued 2749 (25 spoilt papers)

Votes cast 7929 (42.1% Turnout)

Park Hill Ward (2 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Dave John ShiltonLiberal Democrats761
Douglas Alan GolbyLiberal Democrats622
*Spencer Charlton HarrisonConservative Party539
*Leslie Graham WindybankConservative Party529
Christopher John EdgertonLabour Party230
Harry ScarboroughLabour Party211
Andrew John HoltmanGreen Party51

Registered Voters 3850

Ballot Paper Issued 1520 (3 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 2943 (39.5% Turnout)

St. John’s Ward (3 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Pauline Winifred EdwardsConservative Party1679
*Alan James Lancaster CockburnConservative Party1595
*Robert Ronald WoollerConservative Party1586
Alan Terence AinsworthLabour Party756
David John PeggsLabour Party737
Janice FordLabour Party732
Richard Guy DicksonLiberal Democrats502
Neil Robert ClarkLiberal Democrats456
Tina NasonLiberal Democrats445
Philippa Cecily AustinGreen Party162
*denotes retiring councillors

Registered Voters 7530

Ballot Paper Issued 2979 (22 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 8650 (39.6% Turnout)

LIB DEMS MARCH ON – BUT ALL SQUARE IN KENILWORTH

In Kenilworth it finished all square between the Tories and Lib-Dems, locked on four seats a piece, just as four years ago.

Michael Coker returned after four years away on gardening leave (apparently), regained his seat in Abbey ward. Lib-Dem stalwart, Jack Bastock who topped the ward in 1995, did not seek re-election but was elected to the town council. Another Lib-Dem, Pat Ryan was un-seated, coming only sixth, but did get a strong vote of 1012.

The Tories lost veteran Spencer Harrison in Park Hill along with Graham Windybank, who’s switch from St. John’s to Park Hill, didn’t do him any favours. Both seats being taken by Lib-Dem pair, Dave Shilton and Doug Golby. But the Conservatives did take some comfort in taking all three seats in St. John’s.

But in the district it was a different tale all together. The Conservatives lost three seats, Labour lost one, Lib-Dems gained two and the Independents also gained two . In Leamington the Tories have no seats at all.

The 45 seat council now consists of: Labour 16, Liberal Democrats 13, Conservatives 10, Whitnash Residents Association 3, Independents 3. No overall control.

Kenilworth District Councillors

4 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, D. Golby, H. Pavier, H. Thomas)

4 Conservative Party (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, B. Wooller)

2001 – 15th November – Warwick District Council – By Election – Kenilworth

St. John’s Ward

Leslie Graham WindybankConservative Party983
Janice FordLabour Party576
Patrick Joseph RyanLiberal Democrats249

Registered Voters 7448

Ballot Papers Issued 1758 (10 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 1808 (23.6% Turnout)

WINDYBANK IS BACK – IN POOR TURNOUT

Graham Windybank returns to the district council after two years away, having lost his seat in the 1999 election. He first stood in a district election in 1979 at Castle Ward but was unsuccessful, but won a by-election at Abbey & Borrowell in 1982, as a Liberal.

He said he was glad to be back, I campaigned very hard and the effort paid off. It was never going to be easy as I had good opponents. The turnout of voters was poor but I thought it might be even worse given the dark nights and cold weather. One of my tasks at the district council will be to fight for a better share of resources for Kenilworth, which has been lacking in recent years.

Teacher, Pat Ryan, who has been away from the district council for two years, trailed in last place, but St. John’s has always been a difficult ward for the Liberal Democrats. He first stood at the 1991 district election in Abbey Ward, but lost by only 40 votes to Michael Coker for third place. Four years later, however, he was finally elected, this time beating Cllr Coker by more than 100 votes for the third seat.

Labour candidate, 43 year-old, Jan Ford, has lived in the town for 14 years and is a part-time lecturer at De Montfort University in Leicester. But there is one thing in Kenilworth that has always annoyed her is the ‘groovy ball’ at Abbey End. She wants to find out why thousands of pounds were spend on it. This was her second district council election having been unsuccessful in the 1999 poll.

The by-election was caused by the resignation of Tory veteran, Bob Wooller, who was moving to Devon. He was elected to the district council in 1983 and had been a member ever since. He had also been a county councillor for the past twelve years.

2003 – 1st May – Warwick District Council Elections – Kenilworth

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 5890

Ballot Papers Issued 2451 (8 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 7209 (41.6% Turnout)

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 6176

Ballot Papers Issued 2344 (5 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 6607 (38% Turnout)

St. John’s Ward (3 seats)

*denotes retiring councillors

Registered Voters 5877

Ballot Papers Issued 2623 (25 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 7320 (44.8% Turnout)

TORY GLORY – WITH RE-DRAWN BOUNDARIES

Kenilworth District Councillors

7 Conservatives (G. Windybank, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, F. Bunker, R. Davies, J. Hatfield, M. Coker)

2 Liberal Democrats (A. Blacklock, D. Shilton)

2006 – 2nd March – Warwick District Council – By Election – Kenilworth

St. John’s Ward

Norman John VincentConservative Party890
Shirley Beatrice ShiltonLiberal Democrats674
Jeremy EastaughLabour Party206
Brian Percy HadlandIndependent52

Registered Voters 5862

Ballot Papers Issued 1837 (9 spoilt Papers)

Votes Cast 1822 (31.3%)

CONSERVATIVES RETAIN SEAT

This by-election was called due to the death of Graham Windybank, who was first elected to St. John’s at a by-election in 1990 but lost his seat at the 1999 election. However, he regained his seat in another by-election in 2001, and three years ago, was re-elected in the full district election.

Following his victory, Mr. Vincent paid tribute to his predecessor, saying “If I can do half as good as Graham did then, I will be very pleased”. This is his first time on the district council.

He spent 26 years working for the Ministry of Defence and then became a director of an engineering consultancy. He is now semi-retired and runs a small company and has lived in the town for 27 years.

Kenilworth District Councillors

7 Conservatives (N. Vincent, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, F. Bunker, R. Davies, J. Hatfirld, M. Coker)

2 Liberal Democrats (A. Blacklock, D. Shilton)

2007 – 3rd May – Warwick District Council Elections – Kenilworth

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 5902

Ballot Papers Issued 3010 (0 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 8585 (51% Turnout)

NO CHANGE

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 6375

Ballot Papers Issued 2890 (11 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 8081 (45.3% Turnout)

CONSERVATIVES GAIN FROM LIB-DEMS

St. John’s Ward (3 seats)

*denotes retiring councillors

Registered Voters 5850

Ballot Papers Issued 2851 (15 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 8084 (48.7% Turnout)

NO CHANGE

TORIES GAIN ONE SEAT FROM LIB-DEMS – DUE TO SWITCH

Following problems with the newly introduced electronic counting system, the counting had to be done the old way – manually. This delayed the results by several days. The count began on election night – 3rd May – but didn’t end until Tuesday 7th May.

In the end, the Conservatives gained one seat in Kenilworth due to long-standing Liberal Democrat, Dave Shilton switching to the Tories. He retained his seat in Park Hill, topped the poll with 1681 votes, the largest in all three wards.

The Resuffle

Alan Cockburn and Pauline Edwards, who held seats in St. John’s did not seek re-election. So the Conservatives had a small ‘reshuffle’ of candidates around the wards. John Hatfield moved from Abbey to St. John’s and Richard Davies from Park Hill also to St. John’s. This helped two new recruits get elected, Andrew Mobbs and George Illingworth.

In the district overall, the Tories gained 7 seats and now have 24 councillors, Labour and Lib-Dems have 9 each plus 4 Independents. This gives them a two seat majority in the 46-seat council. The first time in 12 years they have control.

Kenilworth District Councillors

8 Conservative Party (D. Shilton, N. Vincent, R. Davies, J. Hatfield, F. Bunker, A. Mobbs, G. Illingworth, M. Coker)

1 Liberal Democrats (A. Blacklock)

2011 – 5th May – Warwick District Council Elections – Kenilworth

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 5840

Ballot Papers Issued 3397 (32 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 9429 (58.2%)

NO CHANGE

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 6397

Ballot Papers Issued 3164 (54 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 9432 (49.4%)

NO CHANGE

St. John’s Ward (3 seats)

*denotes retiring councillors

Registered Voters 5808

Ballot Papers Issued 3161 (37 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 8900 (54.4%)

NO CHANGE

NO CHANGE IN KENILWORTH

Kenilworth District Councillors

8 Conservatives (D. Shilton, M. Coker, N. Vincent, R. Davies, J. Dagg, F. Bunker, A. Mobbs, G. Illingworth)

1 Liberal Democrat (Ann Blacklock)

2015 – 7th May – Warwick District Council Elections – Kenilworth

Abbey Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 6331

Ballot Papers Issued 4601 (32 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 12,278 (72.7% Turnout)

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 6726

Ballot Papers Issued 4994 (63 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 13,486 (74.2% turnout)

St. John’s Ward (3 seats)

*denotes retiring councillors

Registered Voters 6885

Ballot Papers Issued 5006 (64 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 13,758 (72.7% turnout)

FULL HOUSE FOR CONSERVATIVES

District Results: (46 seats) 31 Tories, 9 Labour, 3 Whitnash Residents Association, 2 Lib-Dems, 1 Green Party. Conservatives have overall control.

Kenilworth District Councillors

9 Conservative Party

(R. Davies, P. Cain, A. Cooke, D. Shilton, F. Bunker, A. Mobbs, M. Coker, R. Hill, G. Illingworth)

2019 – 2nd May – Warwick District Council Elections – Kenilworth

Abbey & Arden Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 7,515

Ballot Papers Issued 2,856 (50 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 7,819 (38% turnout)

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 7,864

Ballot Papers Issued 3,293 (51 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 9,361 (41.9% turnout)

St. Johns Ward (3 seats)

CandidatePartyVotesShare %
Richard Guy DicksonLiberal Democrats229923.09%
Katherine Sara DicksonLiberal Democrats229223.02%
Andrew William MiltonLiberal Democrats206120.70%
*Richard Ivor Graham DaviesConservative Party112511.30%
Marilyn Joyce BatesConservative Party110011.05%
*Patrica May CainConservative Party107810.83%
*denotes retiring councillors

Registered Voters 7,748

Ballot Papers Issued 3,512 (70 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 9,955 (45.3% turnout)

THREE WARDS – THREE PARTIES

Kenilworth District Councillors

3 Liberal Democrats (R. Dickson, K. Dickson, A. Milton)

3 Green Party (A. Dearing, J. Dearing, A. Kennedy)

3 Conservative Party (J. Cooke, R. Hales, G. Illingworth)

2023 – 4th May – Warwick District Council Elections – Kenilworth

Abbey & Arden Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 8,411

Ballot Papers Issued 3.322 (14 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 9,477 (39.5% turnout)

Park Hill Ward (3 seats)

Registered Voters 7,767

Ballot Papers Issued 3,232 (9 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 9,184 (41.6% turnout)

St. John’s Ward (3 seats)

*denotes retiring councillors

Registered Voters 7,730

Ballot Papers Issued 3,586 (20 spoilt papers)

Votes Cast 9,755 (46.4% turnout)

ALL CHANGE AT THE DISTRICT

The Greens are Growing

Voter ID Arrives – with success

Kenilworth District Councillors

5 Green Party (D. Armstrong, K. Aizlewood, A. Kennedy, L. Cron, L. Williams)

3 Liberal Democrats (K. Dickson, R. Dickson, A. Milton)

1 Conservative Party (R. Hales)

Warwick District Council ‘Chairman’

1973/4
Christopher Webster
1974/5
Kenneth Rawnsley
1975/6
James Molineux Savory
1976/7
Marshall Edward Kerry
1977/8
Bernard Kirton
1978/9
Norman Raymond Parker
1979/80
Thomas Leo Howlett
1980/1
Stanley William Birch
1981/2
William Henry Wozencroft
1982/3
John Hulstone Higgins
1983/4
Peter Graham Barton
1984/5
Michael Francis Coker
1985/6
Agnes Lavinia Leddy
1986/7
John Allan Morley
1987/8
John Stanley Hammond
1988/9
Spencer Charlton Harrison
1989/90
Valerie Margaret Davis
1990/1
Gerald Brian Guest
1991/2
Robert James Coombes
1992/3
Clifford Samuel Clever
1993/4
William Boxley
1994/5
Peter John Byrd
1995/6
Robert Wooller
1996/7
Joyce Esther Evans
1997/8
Margaret Ann Begg
1998/9
George Darmody
1999/00
Josephine Compton
2000/1
Royston Short
2001/2
Haydn Thomas
2002/3
Balvinder Singh Gill
2003/4
Michael Doody
2004/5
Christopher Davis
2005/6
Dave Shilton
2006/7
Bill Evans
2007/8
Les Cabron
2008/9
Judy Falp
2009/10
Norman Pratt
2010/11
Bertie Mackay
2011/12
Felicity Bunker
2012/13
Michael Kinson OBE
2013/14
Richard Davies
2014/15
Clare Sawdon
2015/16
Michael Doody
2016/17
Jane Knight
2017/18
Alan Boad
2018/19
Stephen Cross
2019/20
George Illingworth
2020/21
Martyn Ashford
2021/22
Neale Murphy
2022/23
Mini Kaur Mangat
2023/24
Sidney Syson
2024/25
Robert Margrave

Kenilworth’s – George Illingworth

Chair – 2019-2020