The Norfolk County Council election took place on 4 June 2009, coinciding with local elections for all county councils in
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
.
The Conservative administration was re-elected with an increased majority and, as in Suffolk and Kent, the Liberal Democrats replaced Labour as the main opposition party.
The Conservatives increased their majority on the council from 10 to a comfortable 36 seats with a net gain of 14 seats. They held virtually all of their seats across the county, but made a net loss of 1 seat to the Liberal democrats in North Norfolk.
The Liberal Democrats performed well in the North Norfolk area through making a net gain of 1 against the Conservatives, and gaining Thetford West from Labour in Breckland, but lost seats to the conservatives in King's Lynn & West Norfolk and South Norfolk as the latter swept the board. Despite the party's flat-lining, they became the official opposition to the governing conservative administration.
Labour, just as had been the case across the rest of the country, suffered heavy losses to all parties and especially to the conservatives being left with just 3 seats across the county, being pushed in to 4th place behind the Green Party for the first time.
The Green Party made gains, particularly in Norwich where they won a majority of seats, which built upon their successes in city elections over the preceding years. They won more seats than labour across the county, but did not beat them in share of vote.
The United Kingdom Independence Party stood candidates in some seats, winning one in Great Yarmouth from Labour.
Other parties and independent candidates stood without winning seats and making little impact.
Previous composition
2005 election
Composition of council seats before election
Changes between elections
In between the 2005 election and the 2009 election, the following council seats changed hands:
Summary of results
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Election of Group Leaders
Daniel Cox (Humbleyard) was re-elected leader of the Conservative Group, Paul Morse (North Walsham East) was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Group, Richard Bearman (Mancroft) was elected leader of the Green Party group and George Nobbs (Crome) became leader of the Labour Group now down to just 3 members.
Election of Leader of the Council
Daniel Cox the leader of the
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
group was duly re-elected leader of the council and formed a conservative administration.
He would unexpectedly resign in October 2010 and was replaced by his deputy Derrick Murphy (Freebridge Lynn)
Murphy himself would be forced to resign after a controversy emerged over an email which was sent by a political assistant to the Conservative group at County Hall, to
BBC Radio Norfolk
BBC Radio Norfolk is the BBC's local radio station serving the county of Norfolk.
It broadcasts on FM, AM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios at The Forum in Norwich.
According to RAJAR, the station has a weekly audience of 1 ...
in April 2012, which suggested that the leader of
West Norfolk Council, Nick Daubney and facing 'a serious leadership challenge' over
King's Lynn
King's Lynn, known until 1537 as Bishop's Lynn and colloquially as Lynn, is a port and market town in the borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk in the county of Norfolk, England. It is located north of London, north-east of Peterborough, no ...
incinerator, which had been a source of tension between the two Councils.
His deputy Bill Borrett (Elmham & Mattishall) replaced him.
Graphic version of results
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Results by district
Gains and losses are in comparison to the preceding full election in 2005, unless otherwise stated. Intervening by-elections are noted.
Breckland
Division results
Broadland
Division results
At a by-election held on 14 July 2011, Old Catton was retained by the Conservatives.
Great Yarmouth
Division results
At a by-election on 5 May 2011, Lothingland was retained by the Conservatives.
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Division results
At a by-election on 27 September 2012, Clenchwarton and King's Lynn South was won by the Labour Party.
North Norfolk
Division results
Norwich
Division results
At a by-election on 24 November 2011, Lakenham was regained by the Labour Party.
South Norfolk
Division results
At a by-election on 13 January 2011, the Conservatives retained Humbleyard.
References
{{United Kingdom local elections, 2009
2009 English local elections
2009
File:2009 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The vertical stabilizer of Air France Flight 447 is pulled out from the Atlantic Ocean; Barack Obama becomes the first African American to become President of the United States; 2009 Iran ...
2000s in Norfolk