The 1998 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 7 May 1998 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. One-third of the council was up for election and the Labour Party stayed in overall control of the council.[1]
After the election, the composition of the council was:
14 seats were contested at the election with Labour defending 7, the Liberal Democrats 4 and the Conservatives, Liberals and independents 1 seat each.[2] Labour was confident of defending the majority of 10 they held over the other parties before the election.[2]
The results saw Labour increase their majority on the council after gaining two seats, one each from an independent and Liberal Democrat.[3] The other change in the election saw the Conservatives gain a seat in Bewdley ward from the Liberal Democrats.[3] Labour attributed their performance to the capable candidates they had stood but were disappointed by the turnout.[4]
A by-election was held in Oldington and Foley Park after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Adrian Beavis after he was found guilty of false accounting.[5] The seat was gained for Labour by Barry McFarland with a majority of 27 votes over Conservative Justin Tomlinson.[5] [6]
A by-election was held in Chaddesley after the death of Conservative councillor Harry Purcell.[7]