View source for Vale Royal

{{Short description|Former borough in Cheshire, England}}
{{About|Vale Royal, Cheshire, England, UK|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox historic subdivision| 
 |Name=                Borough of Vale Royal
 |HQ=                  [[Winsford]]
 |Status=              [[Non-metropolitan district]]
 |Origin=              [[Northwich|Northwich Urban District]]<br>[[Winsford|Winsford Urban District]]<br>[[Northwich Rural District]]<br>[[Runcorn Rural District]] (part of)
 |Start=               1 April 1974
 |End=                 31 March 2009
 |Replace=             [[Cheshire West and Chester]]
 |Map=                 [[File:Vale Royal UK locator map.svg|250px|Vale Royal]]<br>''Shown within [[Cheshire]]''
 |Image=               
 |Arms=                
 |Civic=                
 |Motto=               
 |Government=          
 |Divisions=           
 |DivisionsNames=      
 |DivisionsMap=        
 |CodeName=            [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
 |Code=                13UH
 }}

'''Vale Royal''' was, from 1974 to 2009, a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] with [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] in [[Cheshire]], England. It contained the towns of [[Northwich]], [[Winsford]] and [[Frodsham]].

==History==
The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]] covering the area of three former districts and part of a fourth, which were abolished at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=6 September 2022}}</ref>
*[[Northwich Rural District]]
*[[Northwich Urban District]]
*[[Runcorn Rural District]] (part)
*[[Winsford Urban District]]

The district took its name from [[Vale Royal Abbey]], formerly one of the largest in England, which was situated near the village of [[Whitegate, Cheshire|Whitegate]] near the centre of the district. The name was suggested in 1972 by a joint committee of the previous district councils, on the basis of the historic use of the name for the general area of the new district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vale Royal as new name for District 4? |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=7 December 1972 |page=25 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922212722/https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|accessdate=6 September 2022}}</ref> The district was granted [[borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] on 5 May 1988, allowing the chairman of the council to take the title of mayor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bulletins of Change 1987–1988 |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221201175815mp_/https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/17528/change-bulletin-1987-1988.pdf |website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=28 February 2025 |page=2}}</ref>

In 2006 the [[Department for Communities and Local Government]] considered reorganising Cheshire's administrative structure as part of the [[2009 structural changes to local government in England]]. The decision to merge Vale Royal with the districts of [[Chester (district)|Chester]] and [[Ellesmere Port and Neston]] to create a single unitary authority was announced on 25 July 2007, following a consultation period in which a proposal to create a single Cheshire unitary authority was rejected.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm BBC News, 25 July 2007 – County split into two authorities.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107084113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm |date=7 January 2009 }} Retrieval Date: 25 July 2007.</ref>

Vale Royal was abolished on 31 March 2009, with the area becoming part of the new [[unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] of [[Cheshire West and Chester]] from 1 April 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_2#pt2-l1g4 |title=Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 |access-date=4 April 2009 |archive-date=17 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517000027/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_2#pt2-l1g4 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Civil parishes==
[[File:vale royal parishes.png|none|450px|thumb|Civil parishes within Vale Royal (2009).]]

The district comprised the following [[Civil parishes in England|civil parishes]]:

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Acton Bridge]]
*[[Allostock]]
*[[Alvanley]]
*[[Anderton with Marbury]]
*[[Antrobus, Cheshire|Antrobus]]
*[[Aston, Vale Royal|Aston]]
*[[Barnton, Cheshire|Barnton]]
*[[Bostock, Cheshire|Bostock]]
*[[Byley]]
*[[Comberbach]]
*[[Crowton]]
*[[Cuddington, Vale Royal|Cuddington]]
*[[Darnhall]]
*[[Davenham]]
*[[Delamere, Cheshire|Delamere]]
*[[Dutton, Cheshire|Dutton]]
*[[Frodsham]]
*[[Great Budworth]]
*[[Hartford, Cheshire|Hartford]]
*[[Helsby]]
*[[Kingsley, Cheshire|Kingsley]]
*[[Lach Dennis]]
*[[Little Budworth]]
*[[Little Leigh]]
*[[Lostock Gralam]]
*[[Lower Peover]]
*[[Manley, Cheshire|Manley]]
*[[Marston, Cheshire|Marston]]
*[[Moulton, Cheshire|Moulton]]
*[[Norley]]
*[[Northwich]]
*[[Oakmere]]
*[[Rudheath]]
*[[Rushton, Cheshire|Rushton]]
*[[Sproston]]
*[[Stanthorne]]
*[[Sutton, Vale Royal|Sutton]]
*[[Tarporley]]
*[[Utkinton]]
*[[Weaverham]]
*[[Whitegate and Marton]]
*[[Whitley, Cheshire|Whitley]]
*[[Wimboldsley]]
*[[Wincham]]
*[[Winsford]]
{{div col end}}

==Political control==
The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 2009 was as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Vale Royal" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Teale |first1=Andrew |title=Local Election Results 2007: Vale Royal |url=https://www.andrewteale.me.uk/leap/results/2007/150/ |website=Local Elections Archive Project |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-date=7 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507165031/https://andrewteale.me.uk/leap/results/2007/150/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1974–1991
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1991–2003
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2003–2007
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2007–2008
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2008–2009
|}

===Leadership===
The [[leader of the council|leaders of the council]] from 1988 were:

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| Marie Birkenhead || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right| || align=right|5 May 1988
|-
| Arthur Neil<ref>{{cite news |date=12 May 1988 |title=Vale Royal's first Labour leader |page=11 |newspaper=Runcorn Weekly News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/799155877/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 August 2023 |via=[[Newspaper.com]]}}</ref>|| {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|5 May 1988 || align=right|11 May 1989
|-
| David Broster<ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 1989 |title=Labour loses its grasp after mayor change |page=27 |newspaper=Northwich Chronicle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-northwich-chronicle-labour-loses-its/129633641/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>|| {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|11 May 1989 || align=right|10 May 1990
|-
| Bernard Burton<ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 1990 |title=Vale Royal elects its officers |page=12 |newspaper=Runcorn Weekly News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/runcorn-weekly-news-vale-royal-elects-it/129676949/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811050751/https://www.newspapers.com/article/runcorn-weekly-news-vale-royal-elects-it/129676949/ |url-status=live }}</ref>|| {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|10 May 1990 || align=right|1991
|-
| Arthur Neil<ref>{{cite news |title=It's a tough job - but worth it to help people |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5295838.its-a-tough-job-but-worth-it-to-help-people/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |newspaper=Warrington Guardian |date=28 April 2000}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1991 || align=right|Apr 2000
|-
| Bob Mather<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Group |url=http://www.valeroyal.gov.uk/democracy/modernvr/exec/exec.html |website=Vale Royal Borough Council |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000602120200/http://www.valeroyal.gov.uk/democracy/modernvr/exec/exec.html |archive-date=2 June 2000}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|Apr 2000 || align=right|May 2003
|-
| Keith Musgrave<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=James |title=Party ditches council leader |url=https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/1417235.party-ditches-council-leader/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |newspaper=Northwich Guardian |date=26 May 2007}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 2003 || align=right|May 2007
|-
| Les Ford<ref>{{cite news |title=Veteran councillor steps down from deputy leader role |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/cheshire-west-chester-councillor-les-7107636 |access-date=18 July 2025 |work=Cheshire Live |date=12 May 2014}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 2007 || align=right|31 Mar 2009
|}

===Composition===
The political composition of the council at its abolition in 2009 was:
{|class="wikitable"
|width="150" colspan=2|'''Party'''
|width="150"|'''Councillors'''
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|Conservative 
|26
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"|
|Labour
|17
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|Liberal Democrat
|11
|-
|style="color:inherit;background:#C0C0C0"|
|Weaverham Independents
|3
|}

==Premises==
[[File:Wyvern House - geograph.org.uk - 1800344.jpg|thumb|Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford: Council headquarters 1990–2009]]
Until 1990 the council operated from the various offices it had inherited from its predecessors, being Whitehall in [[Hartford, Cheshire|Hartford]] (from Northwich Rural District Council), the Council House in Northwich (from Northwich Urban District Council), [[Castle Park House]] in [[Frodsham]] (from Runcorn Rural District Council), and Over Hall in Winsford (from Winsford Urban District Council).<ref>{{cite news |title=Council bid for HQ |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |work=Winsford Chronicle |date=3 December 1987 |page=6 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922212722/https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Cheshire County Council |journal=London Gazette |date=26 May 1989 |issue=51747 |page=6318 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/51747/page/6318 |access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> In 1990 the council consolidated its offices into a new purpose-built headquarters called Wyvern House on The Drumber in Winsford.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Council |url=http://www.valeroyal.gov.uk/council/council.html |website=Vale Royal Borough Council |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990423032654/http://www.valeroyal.gov.uk/council/council.html |archive-date=23 April 1999}}</ref> Wyvern House was formally opened by [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|Princess Margaret]] on 19 July 1991.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vale Royal office opening |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |work=Runcorn Weekly News |date=11 July 1991 |page=12 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922212722/https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Princess of smiles on tour |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=24 July 1991 |page=1 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922212722/https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the council's abolition in 2009, Wyvern House has been used as one of the offices of its successor, [[Cheshire West and Chester Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Customer service centres |url=https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/contact-us/customer-service-centres/wyvern-house |website=Cheshire West and Chester Council |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906012755/https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/contact-us/customer-service-centres/wyvern-house |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Council elections==
*[[1973 Vale Royal District Council election]]
*[[1976 Vale Royal District Council election]] (New ward boundaries)<ref>legislation.gov.uk - [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1976/286/made The District of Vale Royal (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1976] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907033723/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1976/286/made |date=7 September 2022 }}. Retrieved on 19 November 2015.</ref>
*[[1979 Vale Royal District Council election]]
*[[1983 Vale Royal District Council election]] (District boundary changes took place but the number of seats remained the same)<ref>The Macclesfield and Vale Royal (Areas) Order 1982</ref>
*[[1987 Vale Royal District Council election]]
*[[1991 Vale Royal Borough Council election]] (Borough boundary changes took place but the number of seats remained the same)<ref>legislation.gov.uk - [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/70 The Cheshire (District Boundaries) Order 1988]. Retrieved on 6 November 2015.</ref>
*[[1995 Vale Royal Borough Council election]]
*[[1999 Vale Royal Borough Council election]] (New ward boundaries)<ref>legislation.gov.uk - [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2846/made The Borough of Vale Royal (Electoral Changes) Order 1998] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907042845/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2846/made |date=7 September 2022 }}. Retrieved on 4 October 2015.</ref>
*[[2003 Vale Royal Borough Council election]]
*[[2007 Vale Royal Borough Council election]]
===Results maps===
<gallery>
File:Vale Royal UK ward map 2003.svg|2003 results map
File:Vale Royal UK ward map 2007.svg|2007 results map
</gallery>
===By-election results===

{{Election box begin | title=Castle By-Election 25 July 1996}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 535
  |percentage = 61.9
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 201
  |percentage = 23.3
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 128
  |percentage = 14.8
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 334
  |percentage = 38.6
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 864
  |percentage = 18.0
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Vale Royal By-Election 24 October 1996}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 637
  |percentage = 61.9
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 218
  |percentage = 21.2
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 174
  |percentage = 16.9
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 419
  |percentage = 40.7
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 1,029
  |percentage = 21.0
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Davenham and Moulton By-Election 10 April 1997}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 695
  |percentage = 42.3
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 486
  |percentage = 29.6
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 461
  |percentage = 28.1
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 209
  |percentage = 12.7
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 1,642
  |percentage = 33.6
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
  |winner     = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |loser      = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Tarporley By-Election 10 April 1997}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 372
  |percentage = 58.3
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 138
  |percentage = 21.6
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 128
  |percentage = 20.1
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 234
  |percentage = 36.7
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 638
  |percentage = 30.7
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Conservative Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Northwich Witton By-Election 7 June 2001}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 1,413
  |percentage = 60.5
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 456
  |percentage = 19.5
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 320
  |percentage = 13.7
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 146
  |percentage = 6.3
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 957
  |percentage = 41.0
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 2,335
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Kingsley By-Election 25 September 2003}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 364
  |percentage = 53.2
  |change     = +14.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 187
  |percentage = 27.3
  |change     = -29.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 133
  |percentage = 19.4
  |change     = +14.9
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 177
  |percentage = 25.9
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 684
  |percentage = 40.7
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
  |winner     = Conservative Party (UK)
  |loser      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |swing      =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Frodsham South By-Election 4 March 2004}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 263
  |percentage = 47.9
  |change     = -0.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 166
  |percentage = 30.2
  |change     = -1.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 120
  |percentage = 21.9
  |change     = +2.1
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 97
  |percentage = 17.7
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 549
  |percentage = 31.3
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Conservative Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Lostock and Wincham By-Election 26 August 2004}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 414
  |percentage = 46.1
  |change     = +21.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 274
  |percentage = 30.5
  |change     = -17.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 185
  |percentage = 20.6
  |change     = -6.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 26
  |percentage = 2.9
  |change     = +2.9
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 140
  |percentage = 15.6
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 899
  |percentage = 26.9
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
  |winner     = Conservative Party (UK)
  |loser      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |swing      =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Winsford Swanlow By-Election 20 January 2005}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = Brandon Parkey
  |votes      = 326
  |percentage = 48.9
  |change     = -20.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 183
  |percentage = 27.5
  |change     = +13.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 157
  |percentage = 23.6
  |change     = +6.9
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 143
  |percentage = 21.4
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 666
  |percentage = 19.5
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Winsford Verdin By-Election 20 January 2005}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = Peter Gannon
  |votes      = 336
  |percentage = 56.4
  |change     = +18.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 188
  |percentage = 31.5
  |change     = -8.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = 
  |votes      = 72
  |percentage = 12.1
  |change     = -12.1
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 148
  |percentage = 24.9
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 596
  |percentage = 12.0
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
  |winner     = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |loser      = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Leftwich and Kingsmead By-Election 9 February 2006}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Helen Burder
  |votes      = 334
  |percentage = 36.2
  |change     = +3.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = Glyn Roberts
  |votes      = 296
  |percentage = 32.1
  |change     = +2.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Kathryn Birtwistle
  |votes      = 293
  |percentage = 31.7
  |change     = -5.9
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 38
  |percentage = 4.1
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 923
  |percentage = 16.0
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Labour Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=Leftwich and Kingsmead By-Election 1 May 2008}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Conservative Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Helen Weltman
  |votes      = 855
  |percentage = 54.8
  |change     = +24.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Labour Party (UK)
  |candidate  = Paul Dolan
  |votes      = 383
  |percentage = 24.5
  |change     = -3.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Liberal Democrats (UK)
  |candidate  = Glyn Roberts
  |votes      = 323
  |percentage = 20.7
  |change     = +3.4
}}
{{Election box majority|
  |votes      = 472
  |percentage = 30.2
  |change     =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
  |votes      = 1,561
  |percentage = 
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
  |winner     = Conservative Party (UK)
  |swing      = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060110192546/http://www.valeroyal.gov.uk/ Vale Royal Council]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Coord |53|15|N|2|36|W|type:adm3rd_region:GB-CHS|display=title}}
{{Local government districts of England abolished in 2009}}
{{Cheshire elections}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Council elections in Cheshire]]
[[Category:District council elections in England]]
[[Category:Districts of England established in 1974]]
[[Category:English districts abolished in 2009]]
[[Category:Former non-metropolitan districts of Cheshire]]
[[Category:Former boroughs in England]]