Before the election the Conservatives controlled the council with 33 councillors, compared to 7 Liberal Democrats and 2 independents. In 2010 councillor Lisa Bangs had left the Liberal Democrats, in protest against the party's decision to enter a coalition with the Conservatives nationally. Bangs would defend her seat in Lingfield and Crowhurst as an independent against a UK Independence Party opponent. The other independent councillor, Bob David, meanwhile held his seat in Tatsfield and Tisley without opposition.
