The 2023 Canterbury City Council election took place on 4 May 2023 to elect members of Canterbury City Council in Kent, England. This was on the same day as other local elections in England.
The Conservatives held a majority on the council from 2005 until April 2023, less than a month before the election, when four Conservatives left the party to form the "Independent Serve to Lead Group".
The election saw the council remain under no overall control, but the Conservatives went from being the largest party to being the third largest party behind Labour and the Liberal Democrats. The leader of the council, Conservative councillor Ben Fitter-Harding, lost his seat. After the election a Labour and Liberal Democrat coalition formed to take control of the council, with Labour group leader Alan Baldock being appointed leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 17 May 2023.
Summary
Election result
+ 18 9 8 4
Ward results The Statement of Persons Nominated, which details the candidates standing in each ward, was released by Canterbury City Council following the close of nominations on 5 April 2023. The results for each ward were as follows:
Asterisks (*) denote incumbent councillors seeking re-election.
Barton
Beltinge
Blean Forest
Chartham and Stone Street
Chestfield
Gorrell
Greenhill
Herne & Broomfield
Heron
Little Stour & Adisham
Nailbourne
Northgate
Reculver
Seasalter
St Stephens
Sturry
Swalecliffe
Tankerton
West Bay
Westgate
Wincheap
Changes 2023–2027 The Liberal Democrats left the Labour–Liberal Democrat coalition in May 2026 after a WhatsApp message from council leader Alan Baldock asking Liberal Democrat councillors not to vote against key planning applications, leaving Labour running a minority administration. Pip Hazelton was appointed deputy leader. In July 2026 the government confirmed that Kent and Medway would be reorganised into four unitary authorities from April 2028, replacing Canterbury City Council. In September 2026 the reorganisation was paused, with the May 2027 elections to go ahead on existing council boundaries.
By-elections
Gorrell
The Gorrell by-election was triggered by Green councillor Steve Wheeler stepping down.
Herne & Broomfield
The Herne & Broomfield by-election was triggered by the resignation of Conservative councillor Joe Howes for health reasons.
St Stephen's
The St Stephen's by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour councillor Elizabeth Carr-Ellis in January 2025, who moved to Scotland to be closer to family.
Wincheap
The Wincheap by-election was triggered by the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Roben Franklin.
References