Forest of Dean Council - Wards and Councillors

District council · South West · 38 seats in 21 wards · All seats elected every four years · Next election 6 May 2027

The Greens run Forest of Dean Council as a minority administration. The council has 38 councillors in 21 wards. Seats by party: Green 15, Other 11, Conservative 6, Labour 4, Reform 1, Lib Dem 1. The next election is on 6 May 2027.

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

Green (Minority)

38 seats - 20 for a majority

Reform 1Labour 4Conservative 6Lib Dem 1Green 15Other 11

Seat changes since the 4 May 2023 election Conservative +2 Reform +1 Labour −1 Lib Dem −2

Vote share at the 4 May 2023 election (38 seats, all wards)

ShareSeats won

Other34.4%11

Green26.2%15

Conservative20.9%4

Lib Dem9.6%3

Labour9.0%5

Next election

6 May 2027

all 38 seats up, then every four years

Largest party

Green 15

5 short of the 20 needed for a majority

Closest result

Lydney East

Green won the last seat by 1 vote over Independent, 4 May 2023

Latest by-election

Cinderford East

Reform gain from Labour, 1 May 2025 (2 since 2021)

Constituencies

1 overlap

2024Now

Voted Leave in 2016

59%

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
Berry Hill Tim Gwilliam, Jamie Elsmore	4 May 2023 Independent 28.7% lead 0.6 pts
Bream Beth Llewellyn, Alison Bruce	4 May 2023 Green 31.9% lead 14.8 pts
Cinderford East Stuart Graham, Di Martin	4 May 2023 Labour 58.9% lead 37.9 pts
Cinderford West Jacob Sanders, Mark Turner	4 May 2023 Labour 31.7% lead 0.6 pts
Coleford Patrick Kyne, Ian Whitburn, Clive Elsmore	4 May 2023 Independent 19.7% lead 0.7 pts
Dymock Gillian Kilmurray	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 62.5% lead 25.0 pts
Hartpury & Redmarley Philip Burford, Clayton Williams	4 May 2023 Independent 41.2% lead 5.5 pts
Longhope & Huntley John Francis, Dave Tradgett	4 May 2023 Independent 23.8% lead 0.9 pts
Lydbrook Sid Phelps	4 May 2023 Green 85.5% lead 71.0 pts
Lydney East Alan Preest, James Bevan, Andrew McDermid	4 May 2023 Conservative 20.8% lead 0.4 pts
Lydney North Harry Ives	4 May 2023 Conservative 76.3% lead 52.6 pts
Lydney West & Aylburton Mark Topping	4 May 2023 Green 77.6% lead 55.2 pts
Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook Shaun Stammers, Jackie Fraser, Trevor Roach	4 May 2023 Green 27.1% lead 7.3 pts
Newent & Taynton Jonathan Beeston, Gill Moseley, Julia Gooch	4 May 2023 Lib Dem 42.9% lead 6.2 pts
Newland & Sling David Wheeler	4 May 2023 Green 69.4% lead 38.8 pts
Newnham Richard Burton, Andy Moore	4 May 2023 Green 53.7% lead 24.8 pts
Pillowell Jackie Dale	4 May 2023 Green 77.3% lead 54.6 pts
Ruspidge Bernie O'Neill	4 May 2023 Independent 50.9% lead 23.0 pts
St. Briavels Chris McFarling	4 May 2023 Green 74.5% lead 52.9 pts
Tidenham Adrian Birch, Nick Evans, Johnathan Lane	4 May 2023 Green 29.4% lead 4.3 pts
Westbury-on-Severn Simon Phelps	4 May 2023 Independent 87.4% lead 74.8 pts

Berry Hill

Jamie Elsmore IndependentTim Gwilliam Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent28.7%

Independent28.1%

Green19.6%

Independent10.5%

Conservative10.1%

Independent2.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Tim Gwilliam Elected	Independent	571
Jamie Elsmore Elected	Independent	560
Stephen James Yeates	Green	391
Richard Noel Henson	Green	282
Nigel John Bluett	Independent	209
Clive Stuart Dunning	Conservative	202
Valerie Mair Nurden	Conservative	140
Scott Baine	Independent	58

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Bream

Alison Bruce GreenBeth Llewellyn Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Green31.9%

Labour17.1%

Independent16.8%

Conservative12.6%

Independent4.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Alison Bruce Elected	Green	537
Beth Llewellyn Elected	Green	377
Barry Lester Faulkner	Labour	288
Alan Philip Grant	Independent	283
Paul Hiett	Independent	283
Rob Whittaker	Conservative	213
Sarah Price	Conservative	149
Emma Gleave	Independent	81

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Cinderford East

Di Martin LabourStuart Graham Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour58.9%

Conservative21.0%

Independent20.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Di Martin Elected	Labour	458
Matt Bishop Elected	Labour	421
Alan Roy John Bensted	Conservative	163
Jeremy Paul Charlton-Wright	Independent	157
Freda Annis Gittos	Conservative	137

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 1 May 2025

Reform44.4%

Labour31.8%

Conservative10.4%

Independent6.8%

Independent6.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Stuart Graham Elected	Reform	480	44.4%
Emma Louise Phillips	Labour	344	31.8%
Pamela Kay Plummer	Conservative	112	10.4%
Jeremy Paul Charlton-Wright	Independent	74	6.8%
Thom Forester	Independent	71	6.6%

Cinderford West

Jacob Sanders LabourMark Turner Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Labour31.7%

Independent31.1%

Independent25.9%

Conservative11.3%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Jacob Edward Sanders Elected	Labour	367
Mark David Turner Elected	Independent	359
Lynn Iris Sterry	Independent	299
Andrew John Bowen Plummer	Conservative	131
John Alan Clissold	Conservative	104

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Coleford

Clive Elsmore IndependentIan Whitburn IndependentPatrick Kyne Labour

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Independent19.7%

Labour19.0%

Independent17.7%

Conservative16.3%

Green16.1%

Lib Dem11.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Clive Terence Elsmore Elected	Independent	643
Patrick Joseph Kyne Elected	Labour	619
Ian Richard Whitburn Elected	Independent	577
Carole Ann Allaway-Martin	Conservative	530
Rachel Emma Lane	Green	526
Peter Andrew James Taylor	Lib Dem	364
Denis Riley	Conservative	288
Joseph John Edward Price	Conservative	226

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Dymock

Gillian Kilmurray Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Lib Dem62.5%

Conservative37.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Gill Kilmurray Elected	Lib Dem	431	62.5%
Eli Heathfield	Conservative	259	37.5%

Hartpury & Redmarley

Clayton Williams ConservativePhilip Burford Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent41.2%

Conservative35.7%

Green23.0%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Philip Howard Joseph Burford Elected	Independent	759
Clayton Williams Elected	Conservative	658
John Edward Thomas Turvill	Green	424
David Anthony Gregory	Green	337
Geoff Woodyatt	Conservative	287

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Longhope & Huntley

Dave Tradgett GreenJohn Francis Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Independent23.8%

Green22.9%

Independent19.8%

Independent17.4%

Conservative16.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
John Charles Francis Elected	Independent	465
David Stephen Tradgett Elected	Green	449
Alan Stephen Wood	Independent	387
Jeremy Paul Rebbeck	Independent	340
Gary Allan James Nicholas	Conservative	316
Venk Shenoi	Conservative	259

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Lydbrook

Sid Phelps Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green85.5%

Conservative14.5%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Syd Phelps Elected	Green	502	85.5%
Rosie Ker	Conservative	85	14.5%

Lydney East

Alan Preest ReformAndrew McDermid GreenJames Bevan Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Conservative20.8%

Independent20.4%

Green20.4%

Independent20.3%

Labour18.1%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Alan Preest Elected	Conservative	448
James Arthur Bevan Elected	Independent	441
Andrew Raymond McDermid Elected	Green	440
Claire Elizabeth Vaughan	Independent	439
Andrew Richard Hewlett	Labour	390
Julie Kirkham	Conservative	344
Elliott David James	Conservative	314

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Lydney North

Harry Ives Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Conservative76.3%

Green23.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Harry Joseph Ives Elected	Conservative	483	76.3%
Jane Margaret Carr	Green	150	23.7%

Lydney West & Aylburton

Mark Topping Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green77.6%

Conservative22.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Mark Topping Elected	Green	512	77.6%
Will Windsor-Clive	Conservative	148	22.4%

Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook

Jackie Fraser GreenShaun Stammers LabourTrevor Roach Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Green27.1%

Labour19.8%

Independent19.0%

Independent15.3%

Conservative13.0%

Lib Dem5.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Jackie Fraser Elected	Green	958
Trevor Benjamin Roach Elected	Green	816
Shaun Stammers Elected	Labour	701
Thom Forester	Independent	673
Andrew Edward Gardiner	Independent	542
Guy Damian Hollier	Conservative	461
Tracy Jane Heathfield	Conservative	275
Pamela Kay Plummer	Conservative	256
Stewart John Bean	Lib Dem	200

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Newent & Taynton

Gill Moseley Lib DemJonathan Beeston ConservativeJulia Gooch Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Lib Dem42.9%

Independent36.7%

Conservative20.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Gill Moseley Elected	Lib Dem	1,044
Julia Denise Gooch Elected	Independent	894
Julie Hudson Elected	Lib Dem	865
Jonathan Edward Beeston	Conservative	498
Martin Burnell Roper	Lib Dem	366
Nick Winter	Conservative	273
Maria Ann Edey	Conservative	258

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Last by-election, 1 May 2025

Conservative38.7%

Lib Dem30.8%

Green23.6%

Labour6.8%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Jonathan Edward Beeston Elected	Conservative	704	38.7%
Tony Clifford-Winters	Lib Dem	561	30.8%
Tim Rickard	Green	430	23.6%
Graham David Mountcastle	Labour	124	6.8%

Newland & Sling

David Wheeler Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green69.4%

Conservative30.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
David Andrew John Wheeler Elected	Green	409	69.4%
Pam Woodyatt	Conservative	180	30.6%

Newnham

Andy Moore GreenRichard Burton Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (2 seats)

Green53.7%

Conservative28.9%

Independent17.4%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Richard William Burton Elected	Green	763
Andy Moore Elected	Green	744
Carol Lesley Gordon Thomas	Conservative	411
Kevin Brian Oversby	Conservative	299
Richard George Ashton	Independent	247

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Pillowell

Jackie Dale Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green77.3%

Conservative22.7%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Jackie Dale Elected	Green	493	77.3%
Alison Wendy Taylor	Conservative	145	22.7%

Ruspidge

Bernie O'Neill Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Independent50.9%

Lib Dem27.9%

Conservative21.2%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Bernie O'Neill Elected	Independent	230	50.9%
James Richard Green	Lib Dem	126	27.9%
Judy Parsons	Conservative	96	21.2%

St. Briavels

Chris McFarling Green

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Green74.5%

Conservative21.6%

Independent3.9%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Chris McFarling Elected	Green	650	74.5%
Roger Burgess Newton Stuart	Conservative	188	21.6%
Rose Marie Collins	Independent	34	3.9%

Tidenham

Adrian Birch GreenJohnathan Lane GreenNick Evans Conservative

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023 (3 seats)

Green29.4%

Conservative25.1%

Lib Dem24.1%

Independent10.8%

Independent10.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes
Johnathan Lane Elected	Green	1,034
Adrian Birch Elected	Green	977
Nick Evans Elected	Conservative	884
Jan Koning	Lib Dem	846
Julian Paul Mcghee-Sumner	Conservative	661
Gareth Hughes	Conservative	557
Maria Edwards	Independent	381
Gethyn Joffre Davies	Independent	371

Party shares count each party's leading candidate.

Westbury-on-Severn

Simon Phelps Independent

Last scheduled election, 4 May 2023

Independent87.4%

Conservative12.6%

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share
Simon Charles Phelps Elected	Independent	557	87.4%
Suzanne Patricia Bowen	Conservative	80	12.6%

Councillors

Changed party since the election

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

Ward	Councillor	Elected as	Now
Cinderford East	Stuart Graham	Reform 2025	Independent
Lydney East	Alan Preest	Conservative 2023	Reform
Lydney East	James Bevan	Independent 2023	Conservative

By-elections

Every council by-election since 2021

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

Date	Ward	Result	Winner's share
1 May 2025	Cinderford East	Reform gain from Labour	44.4%
1 May 2025	Newent and Taynton	Conservative gain from Lib Dem	38.7%

Parliament

Parliamentary constituencies

Constituency	Share of council	2024 winner	Projected now
Forest of Dean	100%	Labour	Labour 31%

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 Forest of Dean

87,004 residents in 37,212 households

Voted Leave in 2016

59% 7 above GB

Degree or higher

29% 5 below GB

No qualifications

18% same as GB

Own their home

73% 12 above GB

Rent from a council or housing association

13% 4 below GB

Rent privately

14% 6 below GB

Aged 15 to 34

25% 6 below GB

Aged 65 and over

30% 8 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

Mid SuffolkGreen (Majority)AdurLabour (Majority)Amber ValleyLabour (Minority)LichfieldConservative (Minority)BaberghGreen / Independent / Liberal Democrats 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.