The 2026 Havant Borough Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 12 of 36 members of Havant Borough Council in Hampshire, England.
Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control, being run by a coalition of Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and an independent councillor, led by Labour councillor Philip Munday. The council remained under no overall control after the election. Reform UK won nine of the twelve seats being contested, and overtook Labour to become the largest party on the council. At the subsequent annual council meeting on 20 May 2026, the Reform group leader, Sharon Collings, was nominated for the role of leader of the council, but was defeated. Instead, Labour councillor Gillian Harris was appointed leader of the council, continuing a Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green coalition.
Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this will be the final election to Havant Borough Council before it is abolished and replaced by a successor unitary authority. Elections to the successor authority are due to take place in 2027.
Summary
Background In 2024, the Conservative Party lost the council to no overall control.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 10 9 13 8 4 6 7 5 2 5 0 3 Changes 2024–2026: October 2024: Elizabeth Lloyd (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent January 2025: Jonathan Hulls (Liberal Democrats) joins Greens May 2025: Paul Gray (Liberal Democrats) leaves party to sit as an independent July 2025: Elaine Shimbart (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent November 2025: Mark Coates (Labour) joins Greens December 2025: Caren Diamond (Conservative) and Gwen Robinson (Conservative) join Reform January 2026: Sarah Milne (Conservative) joins Reform
Election result
Incumbents
Below are a list of the incumbent councillors whose seats are due for election in 2026.
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Bedhampton Liz Fairhurst Conservative No Cowplain Andrew Briggs Conservative Yes Emsworth Charles Robert Green Yes Hart Plain James Blades Conservative No Havant St Faith's Daniel Berwick Labour Yes Hayling East Peter Oliver Labour No Hayling West Jonathan Hulls Green Yes Leigh Park Central & West Leigh Sharon Collings Reform Yes Leigh Park Hermitage Vicky Rhodes Reform Yes Purbrook Caren Diamond Reform Yes Stakes Simon Hagan Labour Yes Waterloo Gwen Robinson Reform Yes
Ward results
Bedhampton
Cowplain
Emsworth
Hart Plain
Havant St Faith's
Hayling East
Hayling West
Leigh Park Central & West Leigh
Leigh Park Hermitage
Purbrook
Stakes
Waterloo
References