Before (end of 1997) (56 seats, our estimate)
Labour 28 · Conservative 20 · Liberal Democrats 5 · Independent 3
After (end of 1998) (44 seats, Elections Centre)
Labour 22 · Conservative 15 · Liberal Democrats 5 · Other 2
Ward results
Southgate1 seat · turnout 22.3%
| Mary Mayne | Labour | 849 ✓ |
| M. Flatt | Conservative | 323 |
| S. Bodsworth | Liberal Democrats | 169 |