The2002 Halton Borough Council election took place on 2 May 2002 to elect members ofHaltonUnitary Council inCheshire, England. One third of the council was up for election and theLabour Party stayed in overall control of the council.[1]
After the election, the composition of the council was:
18 seats were contested in the election,[3] including 2 seats inNortonward, where a Labourcouncillor had resigned his seat.[4] The seats being contested included those of the Labour mayor, Chris Loftus, and theLiberal Democrat leader on the council, Alan Taylor.[5] 47 candidates stood in the election, including 3 married couples, with Labour contesting seats in all 17 wards, as compared to 14 for theConservatives, 9 for the Liberal Democrats and 2 from the Runcorn Labour Councillors Group.[4]
Major issues in the election included housing, concerns over health effects from a local chemical plant and a proposal to close down a recreation centre in Norton.[6] The council was dominated by Labour before the election and this was seen as unlikely to change.[7]
The results saw Labour increase its majority on the council by gaining 3 seats to have 47councillors, while the Runcorn Labour Councillors Group lost their 2 remaining seats.[8] However the Liberal Democrats won an extra seat in Nortonward to remain the main opposition with 7 seats.[8] Overallturnout in the election was 21.5%.[9]
^Kelly, Andy (11 April 2002). "Town halls may have new leaders in weeks".Liverpool Daily Post. p. 13.
^Jewell, Alan (26 April 2002). "Health fears and too much litter ; in the fifth part of our local election series Alan Jewell looks at the issues affecting Halton and Warrington".Liverpool Echo. p. 27.
^Woodhead, Jane (10 April 2002). "Election candidates prepare to do battle".Liverpool Echo. p. 17.
^ab"Local Elections: Labour grip is stronger ; Halton . . . No change".Liverpool Echo. 3 May 2002. p. 9.
^abc"Local elections: Labour snatch Lib Dems' seats ; Party is now electable in Liverpool again, says MP".Liverpool Daily Post. 3 May 2002. p. 2.
