All of the seats on the council were contested after boundary changes had reduced the number of seats from 55 to 53.[3] Before the election the Conservatives ran the council with an overall majority of 1 seat.[3]
The Liberal Democrats were the main opposition on the council and contested 46 of the 53 seats.[4] They attacked the Conservatives for increasing council tax since taking control in 2000, while cutting grants to various groups and moving the council offices to a rented site.[4] The Conservatives however defended their record saying that the move in council offices would save money and that they had introduced a new bus pass allowing cheaper travel.[5] Other issues raised in the election included social housing, the environment, speeding traffic and recycling.[5]
The results were counted electronically as part of a pilot scheme,[3] while voters were able to use electronic voting in 140 electronic polling booths.[6] This was expected to lead to results being declared much earlier than in many areas, with some expected within minutes of polls closing.[5] However while turnout was quite high at around 40%, the results were delayed after the computers did not perform as well as expected.[7]
Election result
The results saw the Conservatives retain an overall majority of just 1 seat on the council.[7] They made gains in Ettington, Snitterfield and the new ward of Stockton and Napton, but lost seats in Studley and Harbury.[7] The Liberal Democrats made gains primarily at the expense of independents, who lost the most seats in the election.[7] Meanwhile, Labour retained their 2 seats in Southam, but failed to make any gains.[7]
Stratford-on-Avon Local Election Result 2002[2][8]
^ abBuggins, Arryn (27 April 2002). "Lib Dems put the accent on services; Election countdown". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 5.
^ abcBuggins, Arryn (1 May 2002). "How will votes flow in Stratford? Local elections May 2; Apathy of electorate could lead to surprising result at district council". Coventry Evening Telegraph. p. 8.
^"Elections to trial high-tech voting". Birmingham Post. 27 April 2002. p. 2.