The Norfolk County Council election took place on 4 June 2009, coinciding with local elections for all county councils in England.
The Conservative administration was re-elected with an increased majority and, as in Suffolk and Kent, the Liberal Democrats replaced Labour as the main opposition party.
The Conservatives increased their majority on the council from 10 to a comfortable 36 seats with a net gain of 14 seats. They held virtually all of their seats across the county, but made a net loss of 1 seat to the Liberal democrats in North Norfolk.
The Liberal Democrats performed well in the North Norfolk area through making a net gain of 1 against the Conservatives, and gaining Thetford West from Labour in Breckland, but lost seats to the conservatives in King's Lynn & West Norfolk and South Norfolk as the latter swept the board. Despite the party's flat-lining, they became the official opposition to the governing conservative administration.
Labour, just as had been the case across the rest of the country, suffered heavy losses to all parties and especially to the conservatives being left with just 3 seats across the county, being pushed in to 4th place behind the Green Party for the first time.
The Green Party made gains, particularly in Norwich where they won a majority of seats, which built upon their successes in city elections over the preceding years. They won more seats than labour across the county, but did not beat them in share of vote.
The United Kingdom Independence Party stood candidates in some seats, winning one in Great Yarmouth from Labour.
Other parties and independent candidates stood without winning seats and making little impact.
Daniel Cox (Humbleyard) was re-elected leader of the Conservative Group, Paul Morse (North Walsham East) was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Group, Richard Bearman (Mancroft) was elected leader of the Green Party group and George Nobbs (Crome) became leader of the Labour Group now down to just 3 members.
Election of Leader of the Council
Daniel Cox the leader of the conservative group was duly re-elected leader of the council and formed a conservative administration.
He would unexpectedly resign in October 2010 and was replaced by his deputy Derrick Murphy (Freebridge Lynn)[4]
Murphy himself would be forced to resign after a controversy emerged over an email which was sent by a political assistant to the Conservative group at County Hall, to BBC Radio Norfolk in April 2012, which suggested that the leader of West Norfolk Council, Nick Daubney and facing 'a serious leadership challenge' over King's Lynn incinerator, which had been a source of tension between the two Councils.[5][6][7]
His deputy Bill Borrett (Elmham & Mattishall) replaced him.[8]
Graphic version of results
Breckland
Attleborough
Dereham North
Dereham South
Elmham & Mattishall
Guiltcross
Necton & Launditch
Swaffham
The Brecks
Thetford East
Thetford West
Watton
Yare & All Saints
Broadland
Acle
Aylsham
Blofield & Brundall
Drayton and Horsford
Hellesdon
Hevingham and Spixworth
Old Catton
Reepham
Sprowston
Taverham
Thorpe St Andrew
Woodside
Wroxham
Great Yarmouth
Breydon
Caister-on-Sea
East Flegg
Gorleston St Andrews
Lothingland
Magdalen
West Flegg
Yarmouth Nelson and Southtown
Yarmouth North and Central
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Clenchwarton & King's Lynn South
Dersingham
Docking
Downham Market
Feltwell
Fincham
Freebridge Lynn
Gayton & Nar Valley
Gaywood North & Central
Gaywood South
King's Lynn North & Central
Marshland North
Gaywood South
North Coast
North Norfolk
Cromer
Fakenham
Holt
Hoveton & Stalham
Melton Constable
Mundesley
North Walsham East
North Walsham West & Erpingham
Sheringham
South Smallburgh
Wells
Norwich
Bowthorpe
Catton Grove
Crome
Eaton
Lakenham
Mancroft
Mile Cross
Nelson
Sewell
Thorpe Hamlet
Town Close
University
Wensum
South Norfolk
Clavering
Costessey
Diss & Roydon
East Depwade
Forehoe
Henstead
Hingham
Humbleyard
Loddon
Long Stratton
West Depwade
Wymondham
Results by district
Gains and losses are in comparison to the preceding full election in 2005, unless otherwise stated. Intervening by-elections are noted.