# No overall control

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Possible result of a UK local election

In the context of [local authorities](/source/Local_government_in_the_United_Kingdom) in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), **no overall control** (**NOC**; [Welsh](/source/Welsh_language): *dim rheolaeth gyffredinol*[1]) is a situation in which no single [political group](/source/Political_group) achieves a majority of seats, comparable to a [hung parliament](/source/Hung_parliament). Of the 248 councils who had members up for election in the [2019 local elections](/source/2019_United_Kingdom_local_elections), 73 (over a quarter) resulted in a NOC administration. In the [2021 local elections](/source/2021_United_Kingdom_local_elections), 14 resulted in no overall control. Outside of the UK, the term may be applied to other local authorities, such as the [local councils of Malta](/source/Local_councils_of_Malta) and the [General Assembly of Budapest](/source/General_Assembly_of_Budapest) in [Hungary](/source/Hungary).

## Administration

Typically, if no party achieves overall control of a council, the largest grouping will form alliances to create an [ad hoc](/source/Ad_hoc) governing [coalition](/source/Coalition). Often local authorities have larger proportions of smaller party and [independent](/source/Independent_(politician)) members than the [House of Commons](/source/House_of_Commons_of_the_United_Kingdom), and when there is no overall control this often results in minor groups having more influence than their numbers alone would suggest.

In a result of no overall control, the largest party may attempt to govern as a minority administration. Parties may also work together to create a formal deal, which can range from a [confidence and supply](/source/Confidence_and_supply) deal[a] to full coalition. Deals, especially the looser kind, can occur between parties which are not traditionally aligned on a national level. For example, a minority [Conservative](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK)) administration was formed in 2019 in [Bolton](/source/Metropolitan_Borough_of_Bolton) supported by the [Liberal Democrats](/source/Liberal_Democrats_(UK)) and UKIP,[2] whilst a Labour-UKIP formal coalition existed in [Basildon](/source/Borough_of_Basildon).[3] Following the [2017 Aberdeen City Council election](/source/2017_Aberdeen_City_Council_election), all nine Labour councillors were expelled from the party for entering into a coalition with the Conservatives.[4]

It is possible for a council to be under no overall control even when there appears to be an overall majority, in particular in the case of a majority of independents, who commonly have no collective policies when elected. This can also arise when the council members divide on other than party lines. For instance, the [2004 elections](/source/2004_United_Kingdom_local_elections) to the [Isle of Anglesey County Council](/source/Isle_of_Anglesey_County_Council) returned more independents than all others put together, but only [Plaid Cymru](/source/Plaid_Cymru) maintained a party group within the council, and not all of its elected members joined the group. The remainder of the council, including some members of other political parties, formed four non-partisan groups, none of which held a majority. The [2008 elections](/source/2008_United_Kingdom_local_elections) resulted in a group called the *Original Independents* gaining an overall majority.[5]

No overall control is more common in [Northern Ireland](/source/Northern_Ireland) and [Scotland](/source/Scotland), in part due to their usage of [single transferable vote](/source/Single_transferable_vote) as opposed to the [plurality block voting](/source/Plurality_block_voting) system used in [England](/source/England) and [Wales](/source/Wales). Following the [2022 Scottish local elections](/source/2022_Scottish_local_elections), twenty-seven of the thirty-two councils were under no overall control, with a further three having a majority of [independents](/source/Independent_politicians).[6] Following the [2023 Northern Ireland local elections](/source/2023_Northern_Ireland_local_elections), all eleven councils were under no overall control.

## Local authorities

### County councils

Council Seats Largest party Seats Control[7] Seats Devon 60 Liberal Democrats 27 Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 33 East Sussex 50 Conservative 22 Conservative minority 22 Gloucestershire 55 Liberal Democrats 27 Liberal Democrats minority 27 Hertfordshire 78 Liberal Democrats 32 Liberal Democrats minority 32 Leicestershire 55 Reform 25 Reform UK minority 25 Surrey 81 Conservative 39 Conservative minority 39 Warwickshire 57 Reform 22 Reform UK minority 22 Worcestershire 57 Reform 26 Reform UK minority 26

### Metropolitan boroughs

Council Seats Largest party Seats Control[8] Seats Bolton 60 Labour 25 Labour minority 25 Dudley 72 Conservative 33 Conservative minority 33 Kirklees 69 Labour 23 Labour minority 23 Newcastle upon Tyne 78 Labour 37 Labour minority 37 Oldham 60 Labour 27 Labour minority 27 Sheffield 84 Labour 35 Labour/Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 76 South Tyneside 54 Labour 27 Labour minority 27 Stockport 63 Liberal Democrats 30 Liberal Democrats minority 30 Wirral 66 Labour 27 Labour minority 27

### Unitary authorities

Council Seats Largest party Seats Control[9] Seats Bedford 46 Conservative 14 + mayor Conservative mayor 14 + mayor Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 76 Liberal Democrats 29 Liberal Democrats/Christchurch Independents/Poole People/Independent coalition[10] 47 Bracknell Forest 41 Labour 20 Labour minority 20 Bristol 70 Green 35 Green/Liberal Democrats coalition 43 Buckinghamshire 97 Conservative 48 Conservative minority 48 Central Bedfordshire 63 Independent 28 Independent minority 28 Cheshire East 82 Conservative 34 Labour/Independent coalition 45[11] Cheshire West and Chester 70 Labour 35 Labour minority 35 Cornwall 87 Liberal Democrats 26 Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition[12] 42 Darlington 50 Labour 23 Labour/Liberal Democrats coalition 25 Derby 51 Labour 24 Labour minority 24 East Riding of Yorkshire 67 Conservative 25 Conservative minority 25 Herefordshire 53 Conservative 20 Conservative minority 20 Isle of Wight 39 Conservative 13 Independent/Green/Our Island coalition 12 North East Lincolnshire 42 Conservative 18 Conservative minority 18 North Somerset 50 Conservative 15[b] Liberal Democrats/Labour/Green/Portishead Independents/Independent coalition 35 North Yorkshire 90 Conservative 43 Conservative minority 43 Northumberland 69 Conservative 27 Conservative minority 27 Peterborough 60 Labour 15 Labour minority 15 Portsmouth 42 Liberal Democrats 18 Liberal Democrats minority 18 Redcar and Cleveland 59 Labour 19 Labour minority 19 Rutland 27 Liberal Democrats 11 Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 12 Slough 42 Conservative 20 Conservative/Liberal Democrats coalition 30 South Gloucestershire 61 Conservative 23 Liberal Democrats/Labour Party coalition 34 Southend-on-Sea 51 Labour 19 Labour/Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition 28 Stockton-on-Tees 56 Conservative 25 Labour minority 22 Torbay 36 Conservative 17 Conservative minority 17 Wiltshire 98 Liberal Democrats 43 Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition[13] 50

### London boroughs

Council Seats Largest party Seats Control[14] Seats Croydon 71 Labour 34 Conservative mayor 33 Havering 55 Havering Residents Association 25 Havering Residents Association/Labour coalition 33 Tower Hamlets 45 Aspire 21 + mayor Aspire mayor 21 + mayor

### Welsh principal areas

Council Seats Largest party Seats Control[15] Seats Carmarthenshire 75 Plaid Cymru 37 Plaid Cymru minority 37 Conwy 55 Independent 23 Independent/Labour/Plaid Cymru coalition[c] 39 Denbighshire 48 Labour 15 Labour/Plaid Cymru coalition 23 Flintshire 67 Labour 28 Labour minority 28 Merthyr Tydfil 30 Independent 14 Independent minority 14 Monmouthshire 46 Labour 21 Labour minority 21 Neath Port Talbot 60 Labour 27 Independent/Plaid Cymru coalition[d] 29 Pembrokeshire 60 Independent 36 Independent/Labour/Liberal Democrats coalition 29 Powys 68 Liberal Democrats 22 Liberal Democrats/Labour coalition 31 Vale of Glamorgan 54 Labour 24 Labour/Llantwit First Independents/Independent coalition 29 Wrexham 56 Independent 27 Independent/Conservative coalition 30

### District councils

Council Seats Largest party Seats Control[18] Seats Arun 54 Conservative 19 Liberal Democrats/Labour/Green coalition 28 Ashford 47 Conservative 17 Conservative minority 17 Babergh 32 Green 10 Green/Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition 24 Basildon 42 Labour 19 Labour minority 19 Basingstoke and Deane 54 Conservative 15 B&D Independents/Liberal Democrats/Green/Independent coalition[e] 28 Brentwood 39 Conservative 19 Liberal Democrats/Labour coalition 20 Broadland 47 Conservative 22 Liberal Democrats/Labour/Green coalition 25 Bromsgrove 31 Conservative 11 Conservative/Independent coalition 18 Broxtowe 44 Broxtowe Alliance 18 Broxtowe Independents minority 18 Burnley 45 Labour 15 Independent/Liberal Democrats/Green coalition[f] 22 Canterbury 39 Labour 18 Labour/Liberal Democrats coalition 27 Charnwood 52 Conservative 23 Labour minority[g] 20 Cherwell 48 Liberal Democrats 17 Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 21 Colchester 51 Conservative 19 Liberal Democrats minority[h] 14 Derbyshire Dales 34 Liberal Democrats 12 Liberal Democrats/Labour/Green coalition 23 Dover 32 Labour 16 Labour minority 16 East Devon 60 Liberal Democrats 18 Liberal Democrats/Green/Independent coalition 31 East Hampshire 43 Conservative 19 Conservative/Whitehill and Bordon Community Party coalition 25 East Hertfordshire 50 Green 17 Green/Liberal Democrats coalition 27 East Lindsey 55 Conservative 25 Conservative minority 25 East Suffolk 55 Green 16 Green/Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition 28 Elmbridge 48 Liberal Democrats 21 Liberal Democrats/Residents Association coalition 35 Folkestone and Hythe 30 Green 11 Green/Liberal Democrats coalition 13 Forest of Dean 38 Green 15 Green minority 15 Gloucester 39 Liberal Democrats 17 Liberal Democrats minority 17 Great Yarmouth 39 Conservative 19 Conservative minority 19 Harborough District Council 34 Conservative 15 Liberal Democrats/Labour/Green coalition 19 Hart 33 Liberal Democrats 12 Liberal Democrats/Community Campaign (Hart) coalition 23 Hastings 32 Green 12 Green/Independent coalition 18 Havant 36 Conservative 13 Liberal Democrats/Labour/Green coalition 21 Hertsmere 39 Conservative 16 Labour/Liberal Democrats coalition 23 Huntingdonshire 52 Conservative 19 Liberal Democrats/Labour/St Neots Independent Group/Green/Independent coalition 32 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 55 Conservative 21 Independent/Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 21 Lancaster 61 Green 22 Green/Labour/Liberal Democrats coalition 50 Lewes 41 Green 16 Green/Labour coalition 24 Lichfield 47 Conservative 21 Conservative minority 21 Maidstone 49 Conservative 13 Liberal Democrats/Green/Independent coalition 26 Maldon 31 Conservative 10 Maldon District Independent Group minority[24] 6 Malvern Hills 31 Independent 13 Independent/Green coalition 18 Melton 28 Conservative 10 Independent/Labour coalition 15 Mid Sussex 48 Liberal Democrats 20 Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition 24 Newark and Sherwood 39 Conservative 14 Labour minority 10 North Hertfordshire 51 Labour 25 Labour minority 25 North Warwickshire 35 Conservative 17 Conservative minority 17 North West Leicestershire 38 Labour 17 Conservative/Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition 19[25] Norwich 39 Labour 19 Labour minority 19 Oxford 48 Labour 20 Labour minority 20 Pendle 33 Conservative 13 Independent/Liberal Democrats coalition 18 Reigate and Banstead 45 Conservative 19 Conservative minority 19 Ribble Valley 40 Conservative 17 Conservative minority 17 Rochford 39 Liberal Democrats 11 Liberal Democrats/Independent/Green coalition 21 Rother 38 Conservative 10 Labour/Rother Association of Independent Councillors/Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 24 Rugby 42 Conservative 17 Conservative minority 17 Runnymede 41 Conservative 12 Labour/Liberal Democrats/RIRG/Green/Independent coalition 25 South Kesteven 56 Conservative 22 Independent/Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 28 South Norfolk 46 Conservative 23 Conservative minority 23 Spelthorne 39 Conservative 16 Liberal Democrats/Independent coalition 14 Stafford 40 Conservative 15 Labour/Stafford Borough Independents/Green coalition 24 Staffordshire Moorlands 56 Labour 23 Labour minority 23 Stroud 51 Green 22 Green minority 22 Swale 47 Labour 16 Labour/Swale Independents/Green/Independent coalition 30 Tandridge 43 Liberal Democrats 11 Independent/Oxted and Limpsfield Residents Group coalition 20 Tendring 48 Conservative 14 Independent/Labour/Liberal Democrats coalition 28 Tewkesbury 38 Liberal Democrats 16 Liberal Democrats/Independent/Green coalition 29 Tonbridge and Malling 44 Conservative 20 Conservative minority 20 Torridge 36 Independent 16 Independent minority 16 Warwick 44 Green 14 Green/Labour coalition 24 Waverley 50 Liberal Democrats 22 Liberal Democrats/Farnham Residents Party/Labour/Green coalition 38 Wealden 45 Liberal Democrats 11 Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 22 Green 11 Welwyn Hatfield 48 Labour 20 Labour/Liberal Democrats coalition 36 West Devon 31 Conservative 11 Independent/Green/Liberal Democrats/Labour coalition 20 West Lancashire 48 Labour 13 Conservative/Our West Lancashire coalition 23 West Lindsey 36 Liberal Democrats 17 Liberal Democrats minority 17 West Oxfordshire 49 Liberal Democrats 21 Liberal Democrats/Labour/Green coalition 36 West Suffolk 64 Conservative 26 Labour/Independent/West Suffolk Independent/Liberal Democrats/Green coalition 28 Worcester 35 Labour 17 Labour minority 17

## See also

- [Coalition](/source/Coalition)

- [Hung parliament](/source/Hung_parliament)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Confidence votes in local governments do not cause early elections.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Includes 2 independents who sit with the Conservative Party and Independents Group on the council.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Conwy's sole [Green](/source/Green_Party_of_England_and_Wales) councillor is in a group with Plaid Cymru.[16]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [Liberal Democrats](/source/Liberal_Democrats_(UK)) and [Green](/source/Green_Party_of_England_and_Wales) confidence and supply.[17]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** The [Basingstoke & Deane Independents](/source/Basingstoke_%26_Deane_Independents), Green Party, and the independents sit as the [Independent Forum](/source/Basingstoke_%26_Deane_Independent_Forum) group.[19][20]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** The independents sit as the Burnley Independents group.[21]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Supported by the [Green Party](/source/Green_Party_of_England_and_Wales).[22]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Supported by [Labour](/source/Labour_Party_(UK)) and the [Green Party](/source/Green_Party_of_England_and_Wales).[23]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["OGWR"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/welsh/hi/newsid_6540000/newsid_6549800/6549807.stm). [BBC News](/source/BBC_News). May 8, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Halliday, Josh; Pidd, Helen (10 May 2019). ["Labour loses control of council strongholds of Bolton and Darlington"](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/10/labour-loses-control-bolton-darlington-councils-conservatives-local-elections). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Chapman, Chloe (24 May 2017). ["Ukip and Labour to 'form first coalition'"](https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15304494.ukip-and-labour-to-form-first-coalition/). *Echo*. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Labour councillors in Aberdeen suspended over Tory coalition"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-39940006). *BBC News*. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Controversial Anglesey Councillor Hangs Up His Hat"](http://www.anglesey-hidden-gem.com/anglesey-county-council.html). Anglesey Hidden Gem. September 2010. Retrieved 2017-12-02.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Scottish Council Elections 2022"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2022/scotland/results). *BBC News*. Retrieved 9 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["County Councils"](http://opencouncildata.co.uk/councils.php?model=C&y=0). *Open Council Data UK*. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Metropolitan Boroughs"](http://opencouncildata.co.uk/councils.php?model=M&y=0). *Open Council Data UK*. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Unitary Authorities"](http://opencouncildata.co.uk/councils.php?model=U&y=0). *Open Council Data UK*. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["New Leader of BCP Council elected"](https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/news-hub/news-articles/new-leader-of-bcp-council-elected). *BCP Council*. Retrieved 14 November 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Cheshire East Council to be run by coalition after deal is struck"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-65613302). *BBC News*. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Cornwall Council leader decided at crunch meeting"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c14kxvmgprvo). *BBC News*. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Davison, Peter (20 May 2025). ["Lib Dems take control of Wiltshire Council ending 25 years of Tory power"](https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/25177963.lib-dems-take-control-wiltshire-council-tense-series-votes/). *The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald*. Retrieved 22 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["London Boroughs"](http://opencouncildata.co.uk/councils.php?model=L&y=0). *Open Council Data UK*. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Welsh Councils"](http://opencouncildata.co.uk/councils.php?model=W&y=0). *Open Council Data UK*. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["The Political Make-up of the Council"](https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Council/Committees-and-Meetings/The-Political-Make-up-of-the-Council.aspx). *Conwy County Borough Council*. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Gregory, Rhys (24 May 2022). ["Coalition announced for Neath Port Talbot Council"](https://www.wales247.co.uk/coalition-announced-for-neath-port-talbot-council). *Wales 247*. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["District Councils"](http://opencouncildata.co.uk/councils.php?model=D&y=0). *Open Council Data UK*. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Basingstoke & Deane Independent Forum"](https://basingstokedeaneindependentforum.org/). Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Your Councillors"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160812131331/https://democracy.basingstoke.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?bcr=1). *Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council*. Archived from [the original](https://democracy.basingstoke.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?bcr=1) on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Jacobs, Bill (8 May 2024). ["Three way council coalition agrees to stay in charge as minority rulers"](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24306106.burnley-councils-three-way-coalition-stays-charge-minority/). *Lancashire Telegraph*. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Breens, Julia (16 May 2023). ["New leader set to be appointed after shock local election results"](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/new-leader-set-appointed-council-8441379). *Leicestershire Live*. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["New Administration and Cabinet announced following May's local elections"](https://www.colchester.gov.uk/info/cbc-article/?catid=latest-news&id=KA-04679). *Colchester City Council*. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Meyler, Piers (14 June 2023). ["Councillor who quit after suffering homophobic abuse is now leader of council"](https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/23582509.richard-siddall-appointed-leader-maldon-district-council/). *Maldon and Burnham Standard*. Retrieved 4 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["New alliance administration for North West Leicestershire District Council"](https://www.nwleics.gov.uk/news/2023/05/24/new_alliance_administration_for_north_west_leicestershire_district_council). *North West Leicestershire District Council*. Retrieved 5 July 2023.

## External links

- [No Overall Control? - Hansard weighs up a hung parliament](http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/2008/03/21/no-overall-control-hansard-weighs-up-a-hung-parliament/) Guy Aitchison, Our Kingdom

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [No overall control](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_overall_control) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_overall_control?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.