Before (end of 1995) (45 seats, Elections Centre)
Conservative 18 · Liberal Democrats 15 · Labour 11 · Other 1
After (end of 1996) (46 seats, Elections Centre)
Liberal Democrats 18 · Labour 14 · Conservative 13 · Other 1
Ward results
Bellvue1 seat · turnout 34.6%
| Keith Dibble | Labour | 778 ✓ |
| P. Lillywhite | Conservative | 230 |
| C Harper | Liberal Democrats | 75 |
Cove1 seat · turnout 33.3%
| M. Banner | Liberal Democrats | 752 ✓ |
| G. Dawson | Conservative | 440 |
| L. Crawford | Labour | 213 |
Empress1 seat · turnout 41.1%
| R. Possee | Conservative | 769 ✓ |
| D Wickens | Liberal Democrats | 445 |
| G Brothers | Labour | 223 |
Fernhill1 seat · turnout 29.9%
| A. Ferrier | Conservative | 631 ✓ |
| M Marsh | Liberal Democrats | 430 |
| N Jackson | Labour | 267 |
Grange1 seat · turnout 40.7%
| B. Jones | Labour | 585 ✓ |
| M. Sheehan | Conservative | 483 |
| A. Bramham | Liberal Democrats | 282 |
Heron Wood1 seat · turnout 33.3%
| J. Hiscock | Labour | 796 ✓ |
| H. Brennan | Conservative | 142 |
| N Burfield | Liberal Democrats | 81 |
Knellwood1 seat · turnout 45.7%
| G. Woolger | Conservative | 678 ✓ |
| K. Pike | Liberal Democrats | 384 |
| J Kirby | Ind Con | 328 |
| S. Clarke | Labour | 178 |
Manor1 seat · turnout 40.8%
| G Paparesti | Liberal Democrats | 873 ✓ |
| M. Choudhary | Conservative | 560 |
| G Rust | Labour | 286 |
Newport1 seat
| C Hollebon | Labour | 562 |
| Welch D. | Conservative | 344 |
| P. Thompson | Liberal Democrats | 177 |
Queens1 seat · turnout 20.1%
| M. Burton | Liberal Democrats | 287 ✓ |
| C. Burridge | Conservative | 200 |
| K Rust | Labour | 112 |
St John's1 seat
| D Benzies | Liberal Democrats | 437 |
| Mary Lawrance | Labour | 338 |
St. Marks1 seat · turnout 34.4%
| D. Gomez | Liberal Democrats | 647 ✓ |
| C Spooner | Conservative | 368 |
| M Floyd | Labour | 265 |
West Heath1 seat
| J. Murphy | Liberal Democrats | 510 ✓ |
| S Masterson | Conservative | 495 |
| M Jenner | Labour | 377 |
