Preston City Council elections are generally held three years out of every four, with a third of the council elected each time. Preston City Council is the local authority for the non-metropolitan district of Preston in Lancashire, England. Since the last boundary changes in 2019, 48 councillors have been elected from 16 wards. Political control From 1889 to 1974 Preston was a county borough, independent of any county council. Under the Local Government Act 1972 it had its territory enlarged, gaining Fulwood Urban District and most of Preston Rural District, and at the same time became a non-metropolitan district, with Lancashire County Council providing county-level services. The first election to the reformed borough council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Preston was awarded city status in 2002. Political control of the council since 1973 has been held by the following parties: Leadership The leaders of the council since 1992 have been: Notes † Independent 1, Labour Independent 1 i Independent 1 * Labour Independent 2 ^ Labour Independent 3, People's Party 1 # Independent 2 (one elected as Socialist Alliance Against the War), Labour Independent 2 α Deepdale Independent 2 β Deepdale Independent 2, Independent Socialist 1 γ Deepdale Independent 1 ** Independent 1, Deepdale Independent 1 1 During September 1999 two councillors formed "The People's Party" 2 During November 2008 one councillor changed his designation from the Respect Party to Independent Socialist 3 During August 2018 two councillors formed an Independent Conservatives group. 4 During May 2020 one councillor resigned their seat, which remained vacant until restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifted. Council elections 1970s 1973 Preston Borough Council election 1975 Preston Borough Council election 1976 Preston Borough Council election (New ward boundaries) 1978 Preston Borough Council election 1979 Preston Borough Council election 1980s 1980 Preston Borough Council election 1982 Preston Borough Council election 1983 Preston Borough Council election 1984 Preston Borough Council election 1986 Preston Borough Council election 1987 Preston Borough Council election 1988 Preston Borough Council election 1990s 1990 Preston Borough Council election (New ward boundaries) 1991 Preston Borough Council election 1992 Preston Borough Council election 1994 Preston Borough Council election 1995 Preston Borough Council election 1996 Preston Borough Council election 1998 Preston Borough Council election 1999 Preston Borough Council election 2000s 2000 Preston Borough Council election 2002 Preston