Margaret Thatcher’s favourite council remains in Conservative hands despite losing seats to Labour in a hotly contested election.
Labour managed to take five seats from the Tories but failed to make the inroads necessary to take control of the council.
After a night that started with huge tension and anticipation amongst Labour and Conservative politicians alike, the result largely matched pre election polling predictions.
Nevertheless, despite retaining control of the council, the Conservatives will still be concerned by how a borough that was once seen as a bastion of Conservatism came so close to falling into Labour’s grasp.
Conservative majority win
Con 33 seats, Labour 26, Independent 1
Conservative hold
Turnout: 99,953
43.62%
