Council profile
Cheltenham
District council · South West · 40 seats in 20 wards · Half of seats elected every two years · Next election 4 May 2028
Liberal Democrats have a majority on Cheltenham Council. The council has 40 councillors in 20 wards. Seats by party: Lib Dem 35, Green 3, Reform 1, Other 1. The next election is on 4 May 2028.
A government plan to replace the councils in this area with one unitary council was paused for review on 7 September 2026. Elections due in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. Source
Control
Seats by party
Vote share at the 7 May 2026 election (20 seats, all wards)
ShareSeats won
Lib Dem42.3%17
Reform19.3%1
Green19.2%2
Conservative17.5%0
Labour1.5%0
Other0.1%0
Next election
4 May 2028
20 of 40 seats up, elected by halves
Largest party
Lib Dem 35
majority of 30; 21 needed
Voted Leave in 2016
44%
GB 52%
Wards
Who holds each ward
Lib DemReformGreen
Under 5 pts5 to 1010 to 20Over 20No contest data
Winning margin at the last election, in points.
Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.
All 20 wards
Councillors and last results
Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.
| Ward and councillors | Last election |
|---|---|
| All Saints Barbara Clark, Izaac Tailford | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 45.0% lead 16.1 pts |
| Battledown Helen Pemberton, Chris Day | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 47.4% lead 24.3 pts |
| Benhall, the Reddings & Fiddler's Green Steve Steinhardt, Mike Collins | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 46.6% lead 22.7 pts |
| Charlton Kings Steve Steinhardt, Angie Boyes | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 39.4% lead 15.3 pts |
| Charlton Park Paul Baker, Steve Harvey | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 38.5% lead 7.1 pts |
| College Iain Dobie, Garth Barnes | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 50.0% lead 33.2 pts |
| Hesters Way Callum Eldridge, Simon Wheeler | 7 May 2026 Reform 31.7% lead 1.2 pts |
| Lansdown Jamie Jamieson, Glenn Andrews | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 41.6% lead 14.3 pts |
| Leckhampton Julia Chandler, Martin Horwood | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 53.9% lead 33.1 pts |
| Oakley Rowena Hay, Alisha Lewis | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 43.1% lead 9.9 pts |
| Park Jackie Chelin, Karen Priest | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 41.9% lead 10.4 pts |
| Pittville Cecily Henderson, Julian Tooke | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 45.0% lead 24.6 pts |
| Prestbury Jan Foster, Stan Smith | 7 May 2026 Green 41.2% lead 15.4 pts |
| Springbank Peter Jeffries, Suzanne Williams | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 45.1% lead 13.9 pts |
| St Mark's Sandra Holliday, Richard Pineger | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 43.9% lead 18.3 pts |
| St Paul's Ashleigh Davies, Tabi Joy | 7 May 2026 Green 50.5% lead 24.4 pts |
| St Peter's Cathy Dearden, Victoria Atherstone | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 44.4% lead 21.9 pts |
| Swindon Village Richard Lawler, Flo Clucas | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 37.8% lead 9.0 pts |
| Up Hatherley Adrian Bamford, Julie Sankey | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 51.2% lead 31.4 pts |
| Warden Hill Graham Beale, Tony Oliver | 7 May 2026 Lib Dem 52.1% lead 31.1 pts |
All Saints
Barbara Clark Lib DemIzaac Tailford Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Izaac Augustus Tailford Elected | Lib Dem | 928 | 45.0% |
| James Dyson | Green | 596 | 28.9% |
| Hod Birkby | Reform | 275 | 13.3% |
| Gill Hewlett | Conservative | 225 | 10.9% |
| Diana Helen Hale | Labour | 37 | 1.8% |
Battledown
Chris Day Lib DemHelen Pemberton Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Day Elected | Lib Dem | 1,040 | 47.4% |
| Chris Clinton | Conservative | 506 | 23.1% |
| Marcia Jacko | Reform | 349 | 15.9% |
| Liam Pem | Green | 276 | 12.6% |
| Lukshayini Manimaran | Labour | 23 | 1.0% |
Benhall, the Reddings & Fiddler's Green
Mike Collins Lib DemSteve Steinhardt Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Ian Steinhardt Elected | Lib Dem | 1,103 | 46.6% |
| Maggie Humphries | Reform | 565 | 23.9% |
| Dan Collins | Conservative | 436 | 18.4% |
| Emily Fairburn | Green | 264 | 11.1% |
Charlton Kings
Angie Boyes Lib DemSteve Steinhardt Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur Gordon Snell Elected | Lib Dem | 922 | 39.4% |
| Jon Perera | Green | 563 | 24.1% |
| Matt Babbage | Conservative | 487 | 20.8% |
| Den Jeffreys-Jones | Reform | 320 | 13.7% |
| Ella Harriet Rees | Labour | 47 | 2.0% |
Last by-election, 1 May 2025
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hannah Healy Elected | Lib Dem | 869 | 48.2% |
| Matt Babbage | Conservative | 696 | 38.6% |
| Karen Wilson | Green | 193 | 10.7% |
| John Malcolm Bride | Labour | 46 | 2.5% |
Charlton Park
Paul Baker Lib DemSteve Harvey Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Harvey Elected | Lib Dem | 906 | 38.5% |
| Elliot Craddock | Conservative | 740 | 31.4% |
| Kes Steger | Green | 370 | 15.7% |
| Kevin Charles Bowden | Reform | 296 | 12.6% |
| John Malcolm Bride | Labour | 44 | 1.9% |
College
Garth Barnes Lib DemIain Dobie Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garth Wallington Barnes Elected | Lib Dem | 1,003 | 50.0% |
| Naomi Seadon | Green | 337 | 16.8% |
| Rich Newman | Conservative | 334 | 16.7% |
| Maureen McNall | Reform | 269 | 13.4% |
| Adam Moliver | Labour | 51 | 2.5% |
| Stephen Paul Reid | Heritage Party | 10 | 0.5% |
Hesters Way
Callum Eldridge ReformSimon Wheeler Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callum James Eldridge Elected | Reform | 431 | 31.7% |
| Benjamin Botchway | Lib Dem | 415 | 30.5% |
| Wendy Flynn | Green | 366 | 26.9% |
| Alex Miller | Conservative | 99 | 7.3% |
| Clive Robert Harriss | Labour | 40 | 2.9% |
| Samuel Jacob Coxson | Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition | 8 | 0.6% |
Lansdown
Glenn Andrews Lib DemJamie Jamieson Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Jamieson Elected | Lib Dem | 874 | 41.6% |
| Pippa Mason | Conservative | 574 | 27.3% |
| Ed Joy | Green | 330 | 15.7% |
| Dean Raymond Luke Botterill | Reform | 324 | 15.4% |
Leckhampton
Julia Chandler Lib DemMartin Horwood Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julia Caroline Chandler Elected | Lib Dem | 1,274 | 53.9% |
| Nick Saywell | Conservative | 491 | 20.8% |
| Stephen Hayward Bajdala-Brown | Reform | 307 | 13.0% |
| Peter Frings | Green | 260 | 11.0% |
| Philip Cole | Labour | 33 | 1.4% |
Oakley
Alisha Lewis Lib DemRowena Hay Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alisha Chloe-Marie Lewis Elected | Lib Dem | 632 | 43.1% |
| Maureen Dodwell | Reform | 487 | 33.2% |
| Nathan Weller | Green | 204 | 13.9% |
| Roy Hewlett | Conservative | 144 | 9.8% |
Park
Jackie Chelin Lib DemKaren Priest Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Louise Priest Elected | Lib Dem | 997 | 41.9% |
| Tim Harman | Conservative | 750 | 31.5% |
| Andrew Patrick Dempsey | Reform | 298 | 12.5% |
| Karen Wilson | Green | 290 | 12.2% |
| Kevin Michael Boyle | Labour | 45 | 1.9% |
Pittville
Cecily Henderson Lib DemJulian Tooke Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cecily Frances Grace Henderson Elected | Lib Dem | 1,037 | 45.0% |
| Jamal Rahman | Green | 470 | 20.4% |
| Ashley Mills | Reform | 389 | 16.9% |
| Alan James Davis | Conservative | 362 | 15.7% |
| Martin William Glozier | Labour | 45 | 2.0% |
Prestbury
Jan Foster GreenStan Smith People Against Bureaucracy Group
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Foster Elected | Green | 993 | 41.2% |
| Lance Alan Fletcher | Reform | 621 | 25.8% |
| Chris Mason | Conservative | 430 | 17.9% |
| Ben Ingram | Lib Dem | 364 | 15.1% |
Springbank
Peter Jeffries Lib DemSuzanne Williams Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Jeremy Jeffries Elected | Lib Dem | 719 | 45.1% |
| Haydn Douglas Pearl | Reform | 498 | 31.2% |
| Sarp Cetin | Green | 195 | 12.2% |
| Helen Frances Shill | Conservative | 162 | 10.2% |
| David Nigel Edgar | Christian Peoples Alliance | 22 | 1.4% |
St Mark's
Richard Pineger Lib DemSandra Holliday Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard James Pineger Elected | Lib Dem | 752 | 43.9% |
| Antony Neil Fillingham | Reform | 438 | 25.6% |
| Kieran Scott | Green | 297 | 17.3% |
| Colin John Parsons | Conservative | 160 | 9.3% |
| Julie Frances Farmer | Labour | 67 | 3.9% |
St Paul's
Ashleigh Davies GreenTabi Joy Green
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashleigh Davies Elected | Green | 723 | 50.5% |
| Cathal Lynch | Lib Dem | 374 | 26.1% |
| Steve Buckley | Reform | 208 | 14.5% |
| Sandra Gloria Parsons | Conservative | 87 | 6.1% |
| Christopher John Meehan | Labour | 40 | 2.8% |
St Peter's
Cathy Dearden Lib DemVictoria Atherstone Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathy Dearden Elected | Lib Dem | 876 | 44.4% |
| John Jarvis | Green | 444 | 22.5% |
| Anthony William Green | Reform | 386 | 19.6% |
| Risha Santilal | Conservative | 187 | 9.5% |
| Michael Thomas Farmer | Labour | 72 | 3.7% |
| Billy Jones | Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition | 6 | 0.3% |
Swindon Village
Flo Clucas Lib DemRichard Lawler Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lawler Elected | Lib Dem | 606 | 37.8% |
| Matthew David William Podmore | Reform | 462 | 28.8% |
| Ian Cameron | Green | 363 | 22.7% |
| Edward Wadih Hazzan | Conservative | 126 | 7.9% |
| Chris Johnson | Labour | 45 | 2.8% |
Up Hatherley
Adrian Bamford Lib DemJulie Sankey Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julie Margaret Sankey Elected | Lib Dem | 1,177 | 51.2% |
| Tristram John Francis Torrance | Reform | 456 | 19.8% |
| Joshua Godfrey | Conservative | 431 | 18.8% |
| Elizabeth Johnson | Green | 234 | 10.2% |
Warden Hill
Graham Beale Lib DemTony Oliver Lib Dem
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Oliver Elected | Lib Dem | 1,094 | 52.1% |
| David Paul Dodwell | Reform | 441 | 21.0% |
| Georgie Bass | Conservative | 360 | 17.2% |
| Sarah Quekett | Green | 177 | 8.4% |
| Ned Holt | Labour | 27 | 1.3% |
Next election
Seats up on 4 May 2028
20 of 40 seats are up. Seats held now, by party:
Lib Dem 18 Other 1 Green 1
| Ward | Councillor whose term ends |
|---|---|
| All Saints | Barbara Clark Lib Dem |
| Battledown | Helen Pemberton Lib Dem |
| Benhall, the Reddings & Fiddler's Green | Mike Collins Lib Dem |
| Charlton Kings | Angie Boyes Lib Dem |
| Charlton Park | Paul Baker Lib Dem |
| College | Iain Dobie Lib Dem |
| Hesters Way | Simon Wheeler Lib Dem |
| Lansdown | Glenn Andrews Lib Dem |
| Leckhampton | Martin Horwood Lib Dem |
| Oakley | Rowena Hay Lib Dem |
| Park | Jackie Chelin Lib Dem |
| Pittville | Julian Tooke Lib Dem |
| Prestbury | Stan Smith People Against Bureaucracy Group |
| Springbank | Suzanne Williams Lib Dem |
| St Mark's | Sandra Holliday Lib Dem |
| St Paul's | Tabi Joy Green |
| St Peter's | Victoria Atherstone Lib Dem |
| Swindon Village | Flo Clucas Lib Dem |
| Up Hatherley | Adrian Bamford Lib Dem |
| Warden Hill | Graham Beale Lib Dem |
Term end dates from Open Council Data.
By-elections
Every council by-election since 2021
3 by-elections since July 2021, 1 of them gains.
| Date | Ward | Result | Winner's share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 2025 | Charlton Kings | Lib Dem hold | 48.2% |
| 12 October 2023 | Prestbury | Local party hold | |
| 9 February 2023 | Battledown | Lib Dem gain from Conservative |
Parliament
Parliamentary constituencies
| Constituency | Share of council | 2024 winner | Projected now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham | 84% | Lib Dem | Lib Dem 44% |
| Tewkesbury | 16% | Lib Dem | Lib Dem 30% |
Share of the council: the proportion of its census neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs) in each seat. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.
People
Who lives in Cheltenham
118,837 residents in 52,901 households
Voted Leave in 2016
44% 8 below GB
Degree or higher
43% 9 above GB
No qualifications
13% 5 below GB
Own their home
64% 3 above GB
Rent from a council or housing association
12% 5 below GB
Rent privately
23% 3 above GB
Aged 15 to 34
31% same as GB
Aged 65 and over
23% 1 above GB
GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.
Similar
Councils most like this one
WokingLiberal Democrats (Majority)WarwickGreen / Labour Coalition (Minority)Windsor and MaidenheadLiberal Democrats (Majority)GuildfordLiberal Democrats (Majority)Bath and North East SomersetLiberal Democrats (Majority)
Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.
Sources
Sources and method
Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.
Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In wards electing more than one councillor, a party's share counts only its leading candidate (the Rallings and Thrasher method). Independents count individually. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.