Derbyshire Dales Council - Wards and Councillors

District council · East Midlands · 34 seats in 21 wards · All seats elected every four years · Next election 6 May 2027

Derbyshire Dales Council is run by a Liberal Democrats / Labour / Green coalition. The council has 34 councillors in 21 wards. Seats by party: Lib Dem 12, Conservative 9, Labour 6, Green 4, Other 3. The next election is on 6 May 2027.

A government plan to replace the councils in this area with two unitary councils 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

Liberal Democrats / Labour / Green Coalition

34 seats - 18 for a majority

Labour 6Conservative 9Lib Dem 12Green 4Other 3

Seat changes since the 4 May 2023 election Other +2 Conservative −2

Vote share at the 4 May 2023 election (34 seats, all wards)

ShareSeats won

Conservative33.5%11

Labour24.0%6

Lib Dem23.1%12

Green10.0%4

Other9.4%1

Next election

6 May 2027

all 34 seats up, then every four years

Largest party

Lib Dem 12

6 short of the 18 needed for a majority

Closest result

Ashbourne North

Conservative won the last seat by 14 votes over another Conservative candidate, 4 May 2023

Latest by-election

Calver & Longstone

Conservative gain from Green, 14 November 2024 (3 since 2021)

Constituencies

1 overlap

2024Now

Voted Leave in 2016

52%

GB 52%

Wards

Who holds each ward

LabourConservativeLib DemGreenIndependent

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 21 wards

Councillors and last results

Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.

Ward and councillors	Last election
Ashbourne North Peter Dobbs, Stuart Lees	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 44.3% lead 5.3 pts
Ashbourne South Anthony Bates, Robert Archer, Nick Wilton	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 45.7% lead 10.2 pts
Bakewell Bob Butcher, Gareth Gee	4 May 2023 Conservative 46.0% lead 22.1 pts
Bonsall & Winster Matt Buckler	4 May 2023 Green 69.4% lead 38.8 pts
Bradwell Andy Nash	4 May 2023 Labour 73.8% lead 47.6 pts
Brailsford Geoff Bond	4 May 2023 Conservative 57.3% lead 39.6 pts
Calver & Longstone Helen Froggatt	4 May 2023 Green 54.6% lead 9.2 pts
Chatsworth Susan Hobson	4 May 2023 Conservative 62.0% lead 39.0 pts
Cromford & Matlock Bath Nick Whitehead	4 May 2023 Labour 68.8% lead 37.6 pts
Darley Dale Roger Shelley, David Burton, Marilyn Franks	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 42.6% lead 17.8 pts
Dovedale, Parwich & Brassington Nigel Edwards-Walker	4 May 2023 Conservative 57.8% lead 42.9 pts
Doveridge & Sudbury John Bointon	4 May 2023 Conservative 58.0% lead 16.0 pts
Hartington & Taddington David Chapman	4 May 2023 Conservative 62.7% lead 43.9 pts
Hathersage Simon Ripton, Peter O'Brien	4 May 2023 Independent 47.8% lead 10.1 pts
Hulland Dermot Murphy	4 May 2023 Conservative 51.4% lead 32.1 pts
Matlock East & Tansley Steve Flitter, Joanne Linthwaite, David Hughes	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 56.0% lead 34.0 pts
Matlock West Steve Wain, Sue Burfoot, Martin Burfoot	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 69.1% lead 51.6 pts
Norbury Sue Bull	4 May 2023 Conservative 67.3% lead 50.5 pts
Tideswell Neil Buttle	4 May 2023 Green 66.5% lead 33.0 pts
Wirksworth Peter Slack, Dawn Greatorex, Lucy Peacock	4 May 2023 Labour 72.4% lead 44.8 pts
Youlgrave Laura Mellstrom	4 May 2023 Green 43.5% lead 9.3 pts

Ashbourne North

Peter Dobbs Lib DemStuart Lees Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Lib Dem44.3%

Conservative39.0%

Labour16.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Peter David Lewis Dobbs Elected	Lib Dem	653
Stuart Lees Elected	Conservative	575
Sue Bull	Conservative	561
Monty Stuart-Monteith	Lib Dem	528
Pam Ashley	Labour	246

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Ashbourne South

Anthony Bates ConservativeNick Wilton Lib DemRobert Archer Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem45.7%

Conservative35.5%

Labour18.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Robert James Archer Elected	Lib Dem	1,101
Nick Wilton Elected	Lib Dem	884
Anthony Edward Bates Elected	Conservative	857
Tom Donnelly	Conservative	820
Robin Michael Shirtcliffe	Lib Dem	794
Matthew John Neville Taylor	Conservative	697
Matt Ginnis	Labour	453

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Bakewell

Bob Butcher LabourGareth Gee Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Conservative46.0%

Labour23.9%

Green14.0%

Lib Dem8.1%

Independent8.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Mark Anthony Wakeman Elected	Conservative	1,011
Gareth Bryn Gee Elected	Conservative	581
Ben Carter	Labour	526
Nicola Teresa Peltell	Green	307
Robert Court	Lib Dem	178
Rachel Elnaugh-Love	Independent	175
Patricia Ann Wildgoose	Lib Dem	166

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 22 February 2024

Labour37.7%

Conservative36.5%

Lib Dem13.0%

Green5.9%

Reform4.0%

Independent2.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Bob Butcher Elected	Labour	467	37.7%
Richard Noel Walsh	Conservative	452	36.5%
Claire Lorraine Faithorn Cadogan	Lib Dem	161	13.0%
Nicola Teresa Peltell	Green	73	5.9%
Lesley Wendy Crosby	Reform	50	4.0%
Rachel Elnaugh-Love	Independent	36	2.9%

Bonsall & Winster

Matt Buckler Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green69.4%

Conservative30.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Matt Buckler Elected	Green	578	69.4%
Chris Stait	Conservative	255	30.6%

Bradwell

Andy Nash Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Labour73.8%

Conservative26.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Andy Nash Elected	Labour	506	73.8%
Chloe Ruth Sidonie Sinker	Conservative	180	26.2%

Brailsford

Geoff Bond Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative57.3%

Green17.7%

Labour15.1%

Lib Dem10.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Geoff Bond Elected	Conservative	379	57.3%
Morgan James Bryan	Green	117	17.7%
Fraser Robert John McGuire	Labour	100	15.1%
Midge Dobbs	Lib Dem	66	10.0%

Calver & Longstone

Helen Froggatt Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green54.6%

Conservative45.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Kelda Boothroyd Elected	Green	441	54.6%
Helen Margaret Froggatt	Conservative	367	45.4%

Last by-election, 14 November 2024

Conservative47.6%

Green43.2%

Labour9.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Helen Margaret Froggatt Elected	Conservative	290	47.6%
Sheelagh Catherine Handy	Green	263	43.2%
Pam Ashley	Labour	56	9.2%

Chatsworth

Susan Hobson Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative62.0%

Lib Dem23.0%

Green15.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Susan Hobson Elected	Conservative	458	62.0%
Claire Lorraine Faithorn Cadogan	Lib Dem	170	23.0%
John Gary Ward	Green	111	15.0%

Cromford & Matlock Bath

Nick Whitehead Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Labour68.8%

Conservative31.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Nick Whitehead Elected	Labour	448	68.8%
Joseph Martin Pearce	Conservative	203	31.2%

Darley Dale

David Burton Lib DemMarilyn Franks Lib DemRoger Shelley Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem42.6%

Conservative24.8%

Labour21.4%

Independent11.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
David Richard Burton Elected	Lib Dem	1,104
Marilyn Amy Franks Elected	Lib Dem	917
Roger Paul Shelley Elected	Lib Dem	761
Ann Elliott	Conservative	642
Dave Oakley	Conservative	609
Sarah Jill Halliwell	Labour	555
Richard Noel Walsh	Conservative	461
Andrew Paul Statham	Independent	291

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Dovedale, Parwich & Brassington

Nigel Edwards-Walker Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative57.8%

Labour14.9%

Green14.8%

Lib Dem12.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Nigel Norman Walker Elected	Conservative	464	57.8%
Kevin Mark Welsh	Labour	120	14.9%
Richard John Rowlatt	Green	119	14.8%
Henry Walter Gladwyn Jebb	Lib Dem	100	12.5%

Doveridge & Sudbury

John Bointon Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative58.0%

Independent42.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
John Michael Bointon Elected	Conservative	458	58.0%
Jacqueline Allison	Independent	331	42.0%

Hartington & Taddington

David Chapman Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative62.7%

Lib Dem18.8%

Green18.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
David George Chapman Elected	Conservative	391	62.7%
Eleanor Nancolas	Lib Dem	117	18.8%
Sheelagh Catherine Handy	Green	116	18.6%

Hathersage

Peter O'Brien IndependentSimon Ripton Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent47.8%

Labour37.7%

Conservative14.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Peter Desmond O'Brien Elected	Independent	1,387
Simon Douglas Ripton Elected	Labour	1,092
Jason Atkin	Conservative	420
Steve Bull	Conservative	335

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Hulland

Dermot Murphy Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative51.4%

Labour19.3%

Social Democratic Party18.9%

Lib Dem10.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Dermot Joseph Murphy Elected	Conservative	395	51.4%
Diane Fletcher	Labour	148	19.3%
Richard Bright	Social Democratic Party	145	18.9%
Barbara Jeanne Bowman	Lib Dem	80	10.4%

Matlock East & Tansley

David Hughes Lib DemJoanne Linthwaite Lib DemSteve Flitter Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem56.0%

Labour22.0%

Conservative22.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Steve Flitter Elected	Lib Dem	1,215
Joanne Linthwaite Elected	Lib Dem	1,083
David Christopher Hughes Elected	Lib Dem	1,074
Suqie Banwait	Labour	477
Danny Hopkinson	Conservative	476

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Matlock West

Martin Burfoot Lib DemSteve Wain Lib DemSue Burfoot Lib Dem

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem69.1%

Labour17.5%

Conservative13.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Sue Burfoot Elected	Lib Dem	1,665
Martin Stanway Burfoot Elected	Lib Dem	1,526
Steve Wain Elected	Lib Dem	1,471
John Alexander Weir	Labour	422
Rosemary Oakley	Conservative	323
Thomas Louis Pearce	Conservative	263
Harvey Dennis James Griffin	Conservative	258

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Norbury

Sue Bull Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative67.3%

Labour16.8%

Green15.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Tony Morley Elected	Conservative	492	67.3%
David John Walker	Labour	123	16.8%
John James Hill	Green	116	15.9%

Last by-election, 22 February 2024

Conservative63.1%

Labour14.9%

Green12.9%

Lib Dem9.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Sue Bull Elected	Conservative	317	63.1%
Bob Allen	Labour	75	14.9%
John James Hill	Green	65	12.9%
Robin Michael Shirtcliffe	Lib Dem	45	9.0%

Tideswell

Neil Buttle Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green66.5%

Conservative33.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Neil Anthony Buttle Elected	Green	514	66.5%
Harry Ellis Walter Shirt	Conservative	259	33.5%

Wirksworth

Dawn Greatorex LabourLucy Peacock LabourPeter Slack Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Labour72.4%

Conservative27.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Peter Slack Elected	Labour	1,491
Dawn Greatorex Elected	Labour	1,454
Lucy Peacock Elected	Labour	1,375
Steven John Kennell	Conservative	567
Paul David Williamson	Conservative	559
Tony Britner	Conservative	554

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Youlgrave

Laura Mellstrom Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green43.5%

Independent34.2%

Conservative22.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Laura Jane Mellstrom Elected	Green	390	43.5%
Thomas Graham Elliott	Independent	307	34.2%
John Martin Pearce	Conservative	200	22.3%

Councillors

Changed party since the election

2 councillors now sit for a different party from the one they were elected for.

Ward	Councillor	Elected as	Now
Bakewell	Gareth Gee	Conservative 2023	Independent
Cromford & Matlock Bath	Nick Whitehead	Labour 2023	Green

By-elections

Every council by-election since 2021

3 by-elections since July 2021, 2 of them gains.

Date	Ward	Result	Winner's share
14 November 2024	Calver & Longstone	Conservative gain from Green	47.6%
22 February 2024	Bakewell	Labour gain from Conservative	37.7%
22 February 2024	Norbury	Conservative hold	63.1%

Parliament

Parliamentary constituencies

Constituency	Share of council	2024 winner	Projected now
Derbyshire Dales	100%	Labour	Conservative 36%

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 Derbyshire Dales

71,538 residents in 32,271 households

Voted Leave in 2016

52% same as GB

Degree or higher

39% 5 above GB

No qualifications

16% 2 below GB

Own their home

72% 11 above GB

Rent from a council or housing association

13% 4 below GB

Rent privately

14% 6 below GB

Aged 15 to 34

20% 11 below GB

Aged 65 and over

32% 10 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

Malvern HillsIndependent / Green / Conservative / Liberal Democrats Coalition MonmouthshireLabour (Minority)Stratford-on-AvonLiberal Democrats (Majority)South HamsLiberal Democrats (Majority)LewesGreen / Labour Coalition

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.