Before the election the Conservatives had a majority on the council with 21 seats, compared to 9 for the Liberal Democrats, 6 for Labour and 3 independents.[3]
Issues at the election included housing, with the Conservatives saying they would make more land available, council tax, where the Liberal Democrats attacked the Conservatives for a 19.9% increase, and waste collection, with Labour objecting to the end of large waste collection, which they said had led to fly tipping.[3] The Liberal Democrats said they were targeting seats in the villages of Baslow and Taddington, while Labour said they were aiming for Darley Dale.[3] However the Conservatives were guaranteed seats after the election, as 13 of their candidates faced no opposition,[3] the highest number of any council in the country.[4]
Election result
The Conservatives gained 3 seats to increase their majority on the council with 24 councillors, after gaining seats from independents in Bakewellward.[5] The Liberal Democrats remained on 9 seats, while Labour finished with 5 seats and 1 independent was elected.[5]Turnout at the election varied between a high of 52% and a low of 24%,[6] but was down on the 1999 election.[5]
A by-election in All Saints Matlock was held on 27 November 2003 after the Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Burfoot was forced to resign after complaints of a conflict of interest due to his holding a position on the Peak District National Park Authority.[8] His wife Sue Burfoot held the seat for the Liberal Democrats.[8]
All Saints Matlock by-election 27 November 2003[9][10][8]