Photo: Chris Heaton · CC BY-SA 2.0The Conservatives hold a majority on Dartford Borough Council
Dartford is run by Dartford Borough Council and Kent County Council. The Conservatives have a majority on Dartford Borough Council. Reform UK has a majority on Kent County Council. Most of Dartford is in Dartford (MP Jim Dickson, Labour); 5% of residents are in Sevenoaks (MP Laura Trott, Conservative).
£2,348
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Dartford’s politics has changed since 2021
A majority on Dartford Borough Council
The Conservatives hold a majority on Dartford Borough Council: 27 of its 42 seats as elected. Labour holds 10, Reform UK 3, the Greens 1 and Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents' Association 1. Who’s in charge ↓
Kent in 2025
Kent County Council, which runs schools, social care and roads, has a Reform UK majority at the May 2025 election: Reform UK won 56 of 82 seats. Kent ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Dartford is £2,332 for 2026–27; Dartford Borough Council keeps 8% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 53% in ten years, against England’s 56%. Council money ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
Who holds the seats on Dartford’s councils
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 22 of Dartford’s 42 or 42 of Kent’s 82 seats to run the council alone.
- Conservative27
- Labour10
- Reform UK3
- Green1
- Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents' Association1
Latest election: May 2023.
- Reform UK56
- Liberal Democrat12
- Conservative6
- Green6
- Labour2
Latest election: May 2025.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
Two tiers of council, and a parish tier
Dartford has two tiers of council: the county runs the big services, the district the local ones.
The parish council for the part of Dartford inside Stone parish.
8% of Dartford’s residents · Band D precept £141
The parish council for the part of Dartford inside Wilmington parish.
Who runs Dartford: same source as Who runs Dartford, above.
Bins and recycling, planning, housing, environmental health, leisure, and collecting council tax.
Website ↗Schools, social care, roads and transport, libraries and waste disposal.
Website ↗Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: in two-tier areas the district or borough runs local services and the county the big ones.
83% of Dartford’s residents live outside any parish, with no parish council.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the parish to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Dartford, from the most recent elections.
- 1Town or parish2 parish councilsStone parish councilWilmington parish council
- 2Dartford Borough Council12 wards · 24 councillorsConservative 15 · Labour 7 · Reform UK 2 · Green 1 · all 25
- 3Kent County Council5 divisions · 5 councillorsBeverley FordhamBen FryerRyan Andrew WatersMichael David BrownAlan Cecil
- 4Police and crime commissionerKent Police · elected May 2024Matthew Scott
- 5House of CommonsSplit between 2 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
24 councillors for 12 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Kelly GrehanLabour · May 2023
- Alina GaskinLabour · May 2023
- Darren Anthony PoveyLabour · May 2023
- Julie OzogConservative · May 2023
- Denzil ReynoldsConservative · May 2023
- Drew SwinerdConservative · May 2023
- James Alexander BuchanReform UK · July 2025 · by-election
- Tom OliverConservative · May 2023
- Rachael Anne AnneLabour · May 2023
- Rosanna Marina CurransConservative · May 2023
- Peter WhapshottConservative · May 2023
- Ricky Anthony Steve JonesLabour · May 2023
- Alina Maria VaduvaLabour · May 2023
- Debbie Ann GrahamLabour · May 2023
- Laura Helen Ker EdieGreen · May 2023
- Andy LloydConservative · May 2023
- Patsy ThurlowConservative · May 2023
- Chris ShippamConservative · May 2023
- Richard John WellsConservative · May 2023
- Clement QuaqumeyConservative · May 2023
- George HoltConservative · May 2023
- Eddy LampkinConservative · May 2023
- Av SandhuConservative · May 2023
- Matthew John DavisConservative · May 2023
- Stephen RidleyReform UK · July 2025 · by-election
Show as a table, with Kent County Council’s 5 divisions (5 councillors)
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple Hillall in Dartford · 9,335 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Kelly GrehanAlina GaskinDarren Anthony Povey | May 2023 |
| West Hillall in Dartford · 8,219 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Julie OzogDenzil ReynoldsDrew Swinerd | May 2023 |
| Stone Houseall in Dartford · 6,691 residents2 seats · July 2025, May 2023 | 2 | James Alexander Buchanby-electionTom OliverRachael Anne Anne | July 2025, May 2023 |
| Brentall in Dartford · 6,144 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Rosanna Marina CurransPeter Whapshott | May 2023 |
| Princesall in Dartford · 6,138 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Ricky Anthony Steve JonesAlina Maria Vaduva | May 2023 |
| Newtownall in Dartford · 5,922 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Debbie Ann GrahamLaura Helen Ker Edie | May 2023 |
| Heathall in Dartford · 5,771 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Andy LloydPatsy Thurlow | May 2023 |
| Townall in Dartford · 5,050 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Chris ShippamRichard John Wells | May 2023 |
| Bridgeall in Dartford · 4,213 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Clement Quaqumey | May 2023 |
| Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley46% in Dartford · 3,648 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | George HoltEddy LampkinAv Sandhu | May 2023 |
| Burnhamall in Dartford · 3,375 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Matthew John Davis | May 2023 |
| Maypole & Leyton Crossall in Dartford · 3,113 residents1 seat · July 2025 | 1 | Stephen Ridleyby-election | July 2025 |
Kent County Council: county divisions
| Division | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dartford West EDall in Dartford · 32,766 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Beverley Fordham | May 2025 |
| Dartford North East EDall in Dartford · 21,948 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Ben Fryer | May 2025 |
| Dartford East ED47% in Dartford · 6,606 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Ryan Andrew Waters | May 2025 |
| Dartford Rural ED23% in Dartford · 4,698 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Michael David Brown | May 2025 |
| Wilmington ED38% in Dartford · 3,113 residents1 seat · May 2025 | 1 | Alan Cecil | May 2025 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Dartford Borough Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Dartford council election, May 2023
Results in the wards that make up Dartford, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
12 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for Dartford’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗3,474 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
5,313 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
2,374 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
Every ward’s result (9 more)
2,465 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
1,844 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
2,550 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
2,536 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
1,675 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
514 votes for candidates
5,026 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
638 votes for candidates
633 votes for candidates
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Dartford is split between 2 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
95% of Dartford’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 59% (England 60%).
Majority 1,192 of 44,488 votes (2.7%): the 52nd-narrowest of 543 in England.
Conservative, MP since 12 December 2019
5% of Dartford’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 68% (England 60%).
Majority 5,440 of 49,899 votes (10.9%): the 207th-narrowest of 543 in England.
44,488 votes for candidates · majority 1,192
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 44,488 votes from 75,426 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 1,192 of 44,488 votes (2.7%): the 52nd-narrowest of 543 in England.
Sevenoaks
49,899 votes for candidates · majority 5,440
Conservative, MP since 12 December 2019.
turnout in July 2024: 49,899 votes from 73,708 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 5,440 of 49,899 votes (10.9%): the 207th-narrowest of 543 in England.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Dartford’s Band D council tax is £2,332 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Dartford Borough Council keeps £188.64 of a Band D bill (8%); the rest goes to Kent County Council, the Kent police and crime commissioner and the Kent Fire and Rescue Authority.
Across the whole town the average Band D is £2,348 (parishes differ; weighted by residents).
Band D since 1993
Dartford’s Band D bill has risen 53% in ten years, from £1,553.90 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £540.00 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Dartford, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
Kent’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included; the 11 nearest of 13. Bars start at £2,200.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with Kent
| Dartford + Kent | Dartford’s councils | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £505 | £492 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £262 | £266 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £69 | £49 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £69 | £41 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £153 | £132 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £32 | £49 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £30 | £29 | £26 |
| Public health | £58 | £61 | £78 |
| Running the council | £84 | £74 | £59 |
| Other | £0 | £6 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,262 | £1,200 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Both tiers added: Dartford per its residents plus Kent per the county’s. Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. Kent and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Dartford is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
dartford.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
dartford.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Dartford is run
Which council runs Dartford?
The county council runs schools, social care and roads; the district runs bins, planning and housing.
Does Dartford have a town council?
Parts of it do: Stone parish council and Wilmington parish council.
Who is the MP for Dartford?
Dartford is split between 2 constituencies: Dartford (Jim Dickson, Labour) and Sevenoaks (Laura Trott, Conservative). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Dartford have?
24 ward councillors represent Dartford’s 12 wards, and 5 county councillors its county divisions.
When are the next elections in Dartford?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Dartford’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Dartford?
Band D council tax in Dartford is £2,348 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Dartford Borough Council?
The Conservatives have a majority: 27 of 42 seats as elected. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who controls Kent County Council?
Reform UK has a majority: 56 of 82 seats as elected.
Who won the 2023 council election in Dartford?
In Dartford’s wards on 4 May 2023, Conservative 16 · Labour 7 · Green 1 of the 24 seats up. The Conservatives had the largest share of votes, 54.7%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.