Labour's Sir Norman Lindop will not be seeking re-election after representing the town's St.Andrew's ward for eight years.

Sir Norman had a majority of 412 at the last election and led the Labour group during its majority of 1997-99.

County Council elections take place on Thursday 7th June 2001, with 77 seats being contested by 258 candidates.

The ruling Conservative administration, led by Robert Ellis, has a four seat majority and is confident of success in next month's poll. Until 1999 the council was controlled by a Labour/LibDem coalition, which fell following a by-election.

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats are prepared to share power if the Conservatives fail to win enough seats, but neither are prepared to share power with the Conservatives as long as Robert Ellis remains leader of the Tory group.

The following candidates are standing for election:

All Saints
 
Frank Escott  Conservative
Kate Scarth  Labour
Beryl Wrangles  Liberal Democrat
 
St.Andrew's
 
Peter Ruffles  Conservative
John Courtneidge  Labour
Jack Coote  Liberal Democrat
 
Hertford Rural
 
Bryan Hammond  Conservative
Peter Warren  Labour
Martin Harris  Liberal Democrat
Lydia Howitt  Green