Meanwhile, the independent candidates who were defending a seat in Shirley South and 2 seats in Shirley West ward were expected to come under pressure. During the campaign another independent councillor Trevor Eames, who was not defending a seat in the election, resigned from the council after being jailed for 7 years causing a by-election to be held later in the summer.
Independent candidates defending seats in Shirley South and 2 seats in Shirley West ward were expected to face pressure during the campaign. Another independent councillor, Trevor Eames, who was not running for re-election, resigned from the council after serving a seven-year prison sentence, leading to a by-election later that summer.