Preston City Council elections are generally held three years out of every four, with a third of the council elected each time. Preston City Council is the local authority for the non-metropolitan district of Preston in Lancashire, England. Since the last boundary changes in 2019, 48 councillors have been elected from 16 wards.[1]
From 1889 to 1974 Preston was a county borough, independent of any county council.[2] Under the Local Government Act 1972 it had its territory enlarged, gaining Fulwood Urban District and most of Preston Rural District, and at the same time became a non-metropolitan district, with Lancashire County Council providing county-level services.[3][4] The first election to the reformed borough council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Preston was awarded city status in 2002.[5] Political control of the council since 1973 has been held by the following parties:[6][7]
Conservative councillor Damien Moore (Greyfriars) resigned from the council in March 2018 (he was elected Member of Parliament for Southport in 2017).[22] The seat (term ending 2019 due to boundary changes[23] trigger a full election) was filled in a double election for Greyfriars on 3 May.[24]