The 2003 South Lakeland District Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of South Lakeland District Council in Cumbria, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.[1]
After the election, the composition of the council was:
Before the election the Liberal Democrats had 21 seats, the Conservatives 19, Labour 9 and independents 3.[3] 17 seats were being contested with the Conservatives defending 10, the Liberal Democrats 6 and an independent 1 seat.[3] 2 sitting Liberal Democrat councillors stood down at the election, Patricia Himsworth in Arnside and Beetham, and Claire Chorley in Burneside.[3] [4]
Major issues in the election included housing, regeneration, recycling, public toilets,[5] affordable transport and refuse collection.[6]
The results saw the Liberal Democrats remain the largest party with 23 seats,[7] but without a majority, after gaining 2 seats from the Conservatives in Cartmel and Low Furness & Swarthmoor and 1 seat from an independent in Whinfell.[3] However the Conservatives did take 1 seat back from the Liberal Democrats in Arnside & Beetham to hold 18 seats.[3] Labour remained on 9 seats, while independents dropped to 2 seats.[3] Overall turnout in the election was 44%, with a low of 33.9% in Windermere Applethwaite to a high of 54.2% in Kirkby Lonsdale.[3]