 At the last election in 1995 Labour took control of the council with 29 seats, compared to 20 for the Conservatives, 7 Liberal Democrats and 1 independent.Gedling was reported as being a swing council in 1999, with the Conservatives requiring 9 gains on a swing of 4.5% to win control.Overall turnout in the election was 35.0%, down from 44.7% in 1995.