2002 Waltham Forest London Borough Council election

Elections to Waltham Forest Council were held in May 2002. The whole council was up for election for the first time since the 1998 election. These elections were the first held on new ward boundaries which increased the total number of Councillors by 3, from 57 to 60.
Waltham Forest local elections are held every four years, with the next due in 2006.
Despite losing their majority, Labour were able to continue in administration, in a minority.

Background

As part of a major redistricting, Waltham Forest council along with every other Londo Borough Council created new wards, eliminated some and expanded others. The results of this redistricting were as follows:

Wards Created

Hale End and Highams Park - Formed from the entirety of Hale End ward and well as a south eastern section of Larkswood ward.
Markhouse - Formed from northern section of the St James Street ward.
William Morris - Formed from parts of Chapel End, High Street, Hoe Street and Lloyd Park wards

Wards Eliminated

Hale End - Formed part of the new Hale End and Highams Park ward.
Lloyd Park - Land divided by the Chapel End and Higham Hill wards as well as the new William Morris ward.
St James Street - Land divided by Hoe Street and Lea Bridge wards as well as the new Markhouse ward.

Wards Expanded

Endlebury - Increased from 2 seats to 3
Higham Hill - Increased from 2 seats to 3

In between the this election and the 1998 election, there was only one by-election held, however this did not result in the seat changing parties. In addition to this there was also a seat that became vacant without enough time to hold a by-election to fill it before the local elections. This meant that the council composition just before the election was as follows:

Election result

After the election the composition of the council was as follows:

Ward Results

- Indicates an incumbent candidate
- Indicates an incumbent candidate standing in a different ward