Before the election the Conservatives ran the council as a minority administration with them holding 18 seats, as compared to 10 for Health Concern, 7 Liberals, 3 Labour, 2 Liberal Democrats and 2 independents.[3] 14 seats were contested at the election with the Conservatives defending 6, Liberals 3, independents 2 and Health Concern, Labour and Liberal Democrats 1 each.[3]
The Conservatives needed to gain 4 seats to win a majority,[4] but Health Concern were also hoping to make gains to take over as largest party on the council.[5] Health Concern campaigned on issues including bringing more entertainment facilities to the council area and opposing a new fleet of black taxis, as well as their health policies.[5]
Election result
The Conservatives won a majority on the council for the first time since 1979,[6] after gaining 4 more seats to end the election with 22 councillors, while Health Concern stayed second with 10 seats.[7] Among the Conservative gains were Mumshad Ahmed in Broadwaters ward, who became the first Asian councillor in Wyre Forest, and Julian Phillips in Bewdley and Arley, who became a councillor at the age of 23.[7] Both Labour and the Liberals lost one seat to the Conservatives, while the two independent councillors were defeated.[8][9]
The Conservatives described the results as an endorsement of their record,[9] while Labour saw them as being due to anti-government feeling.[8] The results were also reported as being a sign that the Conservatives could gain the parliamentary constituency at the next general election from Health Concern's Richard Taylor.[10]
A by-election was held in Lickhill on 10 September 2009 after the death of Health Concern councillor Jill Fairbrother-Millis.[12] The seat was held for Health Concern by Jim Parish with a majority of 131 votes over Conservative Chris Rogers.[12]
A by-election was held in Areley Kings on 10 December 2009 after the death of Conservative councillor Mike Partridge.[13][14] The seat was gained for Labour by James Shaw with a majority of 123 votes over Health Concern candidate Gary Talbot.[14][15]
^Walker, Jonathan (3 May 2008). "Local elections: Conservatives hammer Labour". Birmingham Post. p. 4.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o"District Council Election Results 2008". Wyre Forest District Council. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
^ a b c"ICHC candidate wins Lickhill by-election". The Shuttle. NewsBank. 11 September 2009.
^"Town's shock at sudden death of popular former mayor". Worcester News. NewsBank. 22 October 2009.
^ a bLand, Jon (11 December 2009). "Huge boost for Labour in latest council by-elections". 24dash.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
^ a b"Declaration of result of poll" (PDF). Wyre Forest District Council. Retrieved 16 April 2015.