Cambridgeshire Governance Unveiled
An in-depth exploration of the Cambridgeshire County Council: Its structure, history, and democratic functions.
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Understanding Cambridgeshire County Council
Civic Authority
Cambridgeshire County Council serves as the elected body governing the non-metropolitan county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is distinct from the broader ceremonial county, which also encompasses the City of Peterborough. The council is composed of 61 councillors, representing 59 electoral divisions, and is headquartered at New Shire Hall in Alconbury Weald.
Regional Integration
As a constituent member of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, the County Council collaborates on strategic regional development and governance. This integration ensures coordinated planning and service delivery across the wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area.
Administrative Role
The council operates as the upper tier of local government, responsible for a wide array of essential public services. These include education, transport infrastructure, highways management, heritage preservation, social care provision, library services, trading standards enforcement, and waste management, impacting the daily lives of residents.
Evolution of Governance: A Historical Perspective
Foundational Years
Cambridgeshire County Council was initially established in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888. Initially, two county councils served Cambridgeshire: one for the county itself and another for the Isle of Ely. These were merged in 1965 to form the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely County Council.
Reorganization and Consolidation
The significant local government reforms of 1974, driven by the Local Government Act 1972, led to the amalgamation of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely with Huntingdon and Peterborough. This created the new non-metropolitan county of Cambridgeshire, governed by a newly constituted Cambridgeshire County Council, which officially took office on April 1, 1974.
Modern Structure
From 1974 until 1998, the County Council administered the entirety of Cambridgeshire. Subsequently, Peterborough City Council became a unitary authority, operating independently of the County Council for many functions, though collaboration persists for ceremonial and certain administrative purposes. Since 2017, the council has been a key component of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Organizational Framework
Two-Tier System
Cambridgeshire operates under a two-tier local government structure. The County Council functions as the upper tier, overseeing strategic services. Below it are five district councils, each responsible for more localized services such as housing, planning applications, licensing, and council tax collection.
District Councils
The district councils within Cambridgeshire are:
- Cambridge City Council
- East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Fenland District Council
- Huntingdonshire District Council
- South Cambridgeshire District Council
Representation
The County Council comprises 61 councillors, elected from 59 electoral divisions. This structure ensures representation across the diverse geographical and demographic landscape of the county, with most divisions electing a single councillor, while two divisions elect two councillors each.
Political Landscape
Current Representation
Following the most recent elections, the political composition of Cambridgeshire County Council reflects a diverse range of representation. The council operates with a four-year term for its elected councillors.
Council Composition
As of the 2025 election, the council's composition is as follows:
| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democrats | 31 | |
| Conservative | 10 | |
| Reform UK | 10 | |
| Labour | 5 | |
| Green | 3 | |
| Independent | 2 | |
| Total | 61 | |
Shifting Political Mandates
Historical Control
The political control of Cambridgeshire County Council has evolved significantly since its re-establishment in 1974. The council has experienced periods of Conservative majority rule, as well as times of 'No Overall Control', necessitating coalition or minority administration.
Current Leadership
As of May 2025, the leadership structure is as follows:
- Chair: Peter McDonald (Liberal Democrat), since May 20, 2025.
- Leader: Lucy Nethsingha (Liberal Democrat), since May 18, 2021.
- Chief Executive: Stephen Moir, since February 21, 2022.
Public Service Provision
Core Responsibilities
Cambridgeshire County Council is entrusted with the administration and delivery of a broad spectrum of vital public services essential for the well-being and development of the county's residents. These include:
- Education and Schools
- Transport Planning and Infrastructure
- Highways Maintenance and Development
- Social Care Services (Adults and Children)
- Library Services
- Trading Standards and Consumer Protection
- Waste Management and Recycling
- Heritage and Archives
Administrative Hubs
Transition to New Shire Hall
Until 2021, the council's administrative heart was located in Cambridge, with various offices including County Hall and Shire Hall serving as its headquarters. In 2021, the council relocated its primary operations from Cambridge to the newly constructed New Shire Hall in Alconbury Weald, near Huntingdon. This move marked a significant shift in the council's operational base.
Operational Milestone
The first committee meetings were held at New Shire Hall in September 2021, signifying the commencement of operations at the new site. An official opening ceremony for the modern facility took place on July 8, 2022, underscoring its importance as the central administrative hub for Cambridgeshire County Council.
Symbols of Authority: The Coat of Arms
Heraldic Design
The Coat of Arms for Cambridgeshire County Council, granted on November 1, 1976, is rich in symbolism reflecting the county's geography, history, and heritage.
Electoral Processes
Election Cycle
Elections for Cambridgeshire County Council are held every four years. The most recent election took place on May 1, 2025. The council's electoral divisions were last redrawn in 2017, resulting in 61 councillors representing 59 divisions, with two divisions electing two councillors each.
Voting System
The electoral system employed for these elections is First-past-the-post (FPTP), a common method in UK local elections where the candidate with the most votes in each division wins.
Detailed Councillor Breakdown
The following table provides a comprehensive list of electoral divisions, associated parishes, and the elected councillors, reflecting the composition following the 2025 election.
| Electoral Division | Parishes | Councillor | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey | Abbey | Elliot Tong | Green | |
| Alconbury and Kimbolton | Alconbury, Alconbury Weston, Barham & Woolley, Brington & Molesworth, Buckworth, Bythorn & Keyston, Catworth, Covington, Easton, Ellington, Great Gidding, Great Staughton, Hail Weston, Hamerton & Steeple Gidding, Kimbolton, Leighton, Little Gidding, Old Weston, Perry, Spaldwick, Stow Longa, Tilbrook, Upton & Coppingford and Winwick | Ian Gardener | Conservative | |
| Arbury | Arbury | Mike Black | Labour | |
| Bar Hill | Bar Hill, Boxworth, Dry Drayton, Girton, Lolworth | Edna Murphy | Liberal Democrats | |
| Brampton and Buckden | Brampton, Buckden, Diddington, Grafham, Offord Cluny & Offord DโArcy and Southoe & Midloe | Liam Beckett | Liberal Democrats | |
| Burwell | Burwell, Reach, Swaffham Bulbeck, Swaffham Prior | Yannifer Malinowski | Liberal Democrats | |
| Cambourne | Bourn, Cambourne, Caxton, Little Gransden and Longstowe | Lucy Nethsingha | Liberal Democrats | |
| Castle | Castle | Rory Clark | Liberal Democrats | |
| Chatteris | Chatteris | Daniel Divine | Reform | |
| Cherry Hinton | Cherry Hinton | Bryony Goodliffe | Labour | |
| Chesterton | Chesterton | Ian Manning | Liberal Democrats | |
| Cottenham and Willingham | Cottenham, Rampton and Willingham | Yasmin Deter | Liberal Democrats | |
| Duxford | Babraham, Duxford, Fowlmere, Great Abington, Hinxton, Ickleton, Little Abington, Pampisford, Thriplow, Whittlesford |
Peter McDonald | Liberal Democrats | |
| Ely North | Ely | Alison Whelan | Liberal Democrats | |
| Ely South | Ely, Stuntney | Christine Whelan | Liberal Democrats | |
| Fulbourn | Fen Ditton, Fulbourn, Great Wilbraham, Horningsea, Little Wilbraham, Stow cum Quy, Teversham |
Matthew Morgan | Liberal Democrats | |
| Gamlingay | Arrington, Barrington, Croydon, Gamlingay, Guilden Morden, Steeple Morden, Tadlow, Hatley, Shingay-cum-Wendy, Abington Pigotts, Litlington Orwell, Wimpole |
James Stuart | Liberal Democrats | |
| Godmanchester and Huntingdon South | Graham Wilson | Liberal Democrats | ||
| Hardwick | Barton, Caldecote, Childerley, Comberton, Coton, Grantchester, Hardwick, Kingston, Madingley, Toft |
Christopher Morris | Liberal Democrats | |
| Histon and Impington | Ros Hathorn | Liberal Democrats | ||
| Huntingdon North and Hartford | Leedo George | Conservative | ||
| Huntingdon West | Tom Sanderson | Independent | ||
| King's Hedges | King's Hedges | Elisa Meschini | Labour | |
| Linton | Balsham, Bartlow, Carlton, Castle Camps, Hildersham, Horseheath, Linton, Shudy Camps, West Wickham, West Wratting, Weston Colville |
Henry Batchelor | Liberal Democrats | |
| Littleport | Littleport | John Wells | Reform | |
| Longstanton, Northstowe and Over | Luis Navarro | Liberal Democrats | ||
| March North and Waldersey | March | Stefan Fisher | Reform | |
| Colin Galbraith | Reform | |||
| March South and Rural | Benwick, March | Christopher Thornhill | Reform | |
| Market | Market | Alex Beckett | Liberal Democrats | |
| Melbourn & Bassingbourn | Foxton, Great and Little Chishill, Heydon, Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth |
Adam Bostanci | Liberal Democrats | |
| Newnham | Newnham | Peter Rees | Green | |
| Papworth and Swavesey | Conington (S), Croxton, Elsworth, Eltisley, Fen Drayton, Graveley, Knapwell, Papworth Everard, Papworth St Agnes, Swavesey |
Chris Poulton | Liberal Democrats | |
| Petersfield | Petersfield |
Richard Howitt |
Labour | |
| Queen Edith's | Queen Edith's | Karen Young | Liberal Democrats | |
| Ramsey and Bury | Ramsey | James Sidlow | Reform | |
| Roman Bank and Peckover | Gorefield, Leverington, Newton (F), Tydd St Giles, Wisbech |
Andy Osborn | Reform | |
| Romsey | Romsey | Darren Green | Green | |
| Sawston and Shelford | Great Shelford, Harston, Hauxton, Little Shelford, Newton (S), Sawston, Stapleford |
Laurence Damary-Homan | Liberal Democrats | |
| Peter Fane | Liberal Democrats | |||
| Sawtry and Stilton | Barham and Woolley, Brington and Molesworth, Buckworth, Bythorn and Keyston, Catworth, Conington (H), Easton, Ellington, Glatton, Great Gidding, Hamerton, Leighton, Little Gidding, Old Weston, Sawtry, Spaldwick, Steeple Gidding, Stow Longa, Upton and Coppingford, Winwick |
Simon Bywater | Conservative | |
| Soham North and Isleham | Chippenham, Fordham, Isleham, Kennett, Snailwell, Soham, Wicken |
Mark Goldsack | Conservative | |
| Soham South and Haddenham | Tom Hawker-Dawson | Liberal Democrats | ||
| Somersham and Earith | Bluntisham, Broughton, Colne, Earith, Old Hurst, Pidley cum Fenton, Somersham, Woodhurst |
Charlotte Lowe | Conservative | |
| St Ives North and Wyton | Holywell-cum-Needingworth, St Ives |
Julie Kerr |
Conservative | |
| St Ives South and Needingworth | Alex Bulat | Conservative | ||
| St Neots East and Gransden | St Neots | Sarah Caine | Liberal Democrats | |
| St Neots Eynesbury | Ricky Ioannides | Reform | ||
| St Neots Priory Park and Little Paxton | Robin Wyatt | Liberal Democrats | ||
| St Neots The Eatons | Geoffrey Seeff | Liberal Democrats | ||
| Sutton | Coveney, Downham, Mepal, Sutton, Wentworth, Witcham, Witchford | Lorna Duprรฉ | Liberal Democrats | |
| The Hemingfords & Fenstanton | Fenstanton, Hemingford Abbots, Hemingford Grey, Hilton, Houghton and Wyton |
David Keane | Conservative | |
| Trumpington | David Levien | Liberal Democrats | ||
| Warboys & the Stukeleys | Abbots Ripton, Bury, Houghton and Wyton, Kings Ripton, Upwood and the Raveleys, Warboys, Wistow, Wood Walton |
Ross Martin |
Conservative | |
| Waterbeach | Landbeach, Milton, Waterbeach | Anna Bradnam | Liberal Democrats | |
| Whittlesey North | Whittlesey | Chris Boden | Conservative | |
| Whittlesey South | Whittlesey | Michael Fisher | Reform | |
| Wisbech East | Wisbech | Samantha Hoy | Conservative | |
| Wisbech West | Wisbech | Steve Tierney | Conservative | |
| Woodditton | Ashley, Bottisham, Brinkley, Burrough Green, Cheveley, Dullingham, Kirtling, Lode, Stetchworth, Westley Waterless, Woodditton |
Jonny Edge | Liberal Democrats | |
| Yaxley and Farcet | Yaxley | Des Watt | Reform | |
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Important Notice
This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily from Wikipedia, and may not be entirely exhaustive, current, or perfectly accurate. It is not intended to substitute for official documentation or professional consultation.
This is not official advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for professional advice regarding local governance, public administration, or legal matters. Always consult official sources and qualified professionals for specific guidance related to Cambridgeshire County Council or any governmental body.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided.