The 2003 Christchurch Borough Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of Christchurch Borough Council in Dorset, England. The whole council was up for election after boundary changes reduced the number of seats by one.[1] The Conservative Party stayed in overall control of the council.[2]
Election result
The Conservatives remained in control of the council after winning 14 of the 24 seats on the council, despite losing three seats.[2][3] The Liberal Democrats gained three seats to have eight councillors, while two independents were elected.[2]
A by-election was held in Jumpers ward on 5 May 2005 after the resignation of independent councillor Bob McArthur.[5] The seat was gained for the Liberal Democrats by Jason Viney with a majority of 333 votes over Conservative Trevor Watts.[5][6]
A by-election was held in Portfield on 5 May 2005 following the resignation of councillor Susan Darch due to poor health.[5] Darch had been elected as a Liberal Democrat in 2003, but together with her fellow councillor for Portfied Lillian Jefferis, she subsequently defected to the Conservatives.[5] The seat was regained for the Liberal Democrats by David Vick with a majority of 222 votes over Conservative Tavis Fox.[5][6]
A by-election was held in Purewell and Stanpit on 5 May 2005 after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Wendy Lloyd.[5] The seat was held for the Liberal Democrats by Alan Wright with a majority of 34 votes over Conservative Nicholas Geary.[5][6]
^ abcd"English councils - Non-metropolitan districts". The Times. NewsBank. 3 May 2003. p. 47.
^Martin, Andy (2 May 2003). "Backlash as Lib Dems lose Poole and Tories lose Bournemouth". Cornwall County Publications. NewsBank.
^ abcdefghijkl"Declaration of result of poll" (PDF). Christchurch Borough Council. Retrieved 20 May 2015.[permanent dead link]
^ abcdefg"Tributes flooding in for 'wonderful' councillor". Dorset Echo. 10 May 2005. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
^ abcdef"Declaration of result of poll" (PDF). Christchurch Borough Council. dorsetforyou.com. Retrieved 21 May 2015.