2026 South Cambridgeshire District Council election

2026 South Cambridgeshire District Council election

7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)

All 45 seats to South Cambridgeshire District Council
23 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Bridget Smith Heather Williams
Party Liberal Democrats Conservative Independent
Last election 37 seats, 52.1% 8 seats, 29.2% 0 seats, 1.8%
Current seats 35[a] 8 2

Incumbent Leader

Bridget Smith
Liberal Democrats



The 2026 South Cambridgeshire District 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 all 45 members of South Cambridgeshire District Council in Cambridgeshire, England.[1][2]

Background

In 2022, the Liberal Democrats retained control of the council.[3][4]

Council composition

After 2022 election Before 2026 election
Party Seats Party Seats
Liberal Democrats 37 Liberal Democrats 34
Conservative 8 Conservative 9
Independent 0 Independent 1
Vacant N/A Vacant 1

Changes 2022–2026:

  • September 2022:
    • Sarah Cheung Johnson (Liberal Democrats) and Alex Malyon (Liberal Democrats) resign – by-election held November 2022[5]
    • Daniel Lentell (Liberal Democrats) leaves party to sit as an independent[6]
  • November 2022: Tom Bygott (Consverative) and Natalie Warren-Green (Liberal Democrats) win by-election[7]
  • February 2023: John Loveluck (Liberal Democrats) dies – by-election held March 2023[8]
  • March 2023: Eileen Wilson (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election[9]
  • September 2024: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held October 2024[10]
  • October 2024: James Rixon (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election[11]
  • April 2025: Mark Howell (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent[12]
  • December 2025: Judith Rippeth (Liberal Democrats) resigns – seat left vacant until 2026 election[13]
  • March 2026: Mark Howell has rejoined the Conservative group[14]

Election result

2026 South Cambridgeshire District Council election
Party Candidates Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Liberal Democrats
  Conservative
  Independent
  Labour
  Green
  Reform UK

Candidates

References

  1. ^ Includes the vacant seat in Milton & Waterbeach last held by the Liberal Democrats.
  1. ^ "A look at 2026 elections in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire". BBC News. 5 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  2. ^ Brown, Hannah (22 January 2026). "The 3 Cambridgeshire areas where elections will go ahead this year". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  3. ^ "South Cambridgeshire result - Local Elections 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  4. ^ Brown, Hannah (6 May 2022). "South Cambridgeshire local election 2022 results in full". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  5. ^ Brown, Hannah (28 September 2022). "Two Lib Dem councillors quit to focus on 'family life', sparking by-election". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  6. ^ Elworthy, John (16 September 2022). "Lib Dem councillor quits over 'tax on NHS heroes'". News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Longstanton Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  8. ^ "South Cambridgeshire: By-election called after death of John Loveluck". BBC News. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Cottenham Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  10. ^ Gardner, Gemma (5 September 2024). "South Cambridgeshire MP Pippa Heylings stands down as district councillor". Cambridge Independent. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Histon and Impington Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  12. ^ Boothroyd, David. "Longdendale lights up for Reform". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  13. ^ Boothroyd, David. "Reform do like to be beside the seaside". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Mark Howell".