2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election

2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election

7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)

20 out of 40 seats to Cheltenham Borough Council
21 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Rowena Hay Ashleigh Davies John Payne
Party Liberal Democrats Green PAB
Last election 36 seats, 51.9% 3 seats, 15.7% 1 seat, 1.5%
Current seats 36[1] 3 1

Incumbent Leader

Rowena Hay
Liberal Democrats



The 2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election will be held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 21 of 40 members of Cheltenham Borough Council in Gloucestershire, England.[2]

Summary

Background

In 2024, the Liberal Democrats retained majority control of the council.[3][4] In January 2026, the council asked for the election to be postponed pending local government reorganisation.[5] This was against the wishes of Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey.[6][7] However it was rescheduled on 16 February 2026.

Election result

2026 Cheltenham Borough Council election
Party This election Full council This election
Seats Net Seats % Other Total Total % Votes Votes % +/−
  Liberal Democrats 18
  Green 1
  PAB 1
  Conservative 0
  Labour 0
  Reform UK 0
  Independent 0

Incumbents

Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
All Saints Izaac Tailford Liberal Democrats
Battledown Chris Day Liberal Democrats
Benhall, The Reddings &
Fiddler's Green
Steve Steinhardt Liberal Democrats
Charlton Kings Hannah Healy Liberal Democrats
Charlton Park Steve Harvey Liberal Democrats
College Garth Barnes Liberal Democrats
Hesters Way Cathal Lynch Liberal Democrats
Lansdown Ben Orme Liberal Democrats
Leckhampton Julia Chandler Liberal Democrats
Oakley Alisha Lewis Liberal Democrats
Park Dilys Barrell Liberal Democrats
Pittville Juan Clamp Liberal Democrats
Prestbury Jan Foster Green
Springbank Peter Jeffries Liberal Democrats
St Mark's Richard Pineger Liberal Democrats
St Paul's Ashleigh Davies Green
St Peter's David Willingham Liberal Democrats
Swindon Village Frank Allen Liberal Democrats
Up Hatherley Julie Sankey Liberal Democrats
Warden Hill Tony Oliver Liberal Democrats

Candidates

References

  1. ^ "Cheltenham Council Composition: Latest". opencouncildata.co.uk. Open Council Data UK. Retrieved 18 February 2026. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  2. ^ mhclgpress (16 February 2026). "Update on May 2026 local authority elections – MHCLG in the Media". mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  3. ^ Norris, Phil; Garcia, Carmelo (3 May 2024). "Cheltenham Borough Council local election results and reaction - updates". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Cheltenham result - Local Elections 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  5. ^ Parker, Fiona (16 January 2026). "Lib Dems scrap Cheltenham elections after attacking Tories for same thing - Councillor Rowena Hay asks the Government to postpone May's vote in Cheltenham borough council". The Telegraph.
  6. ^ Garcia, Carmelo (20 December 2025). "Cheltenham 2026 elections could be pushed back due to council shake-up". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Lib Dem council to ask for election delay despite Ed Davey's warning". BBC News. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.