The Conservative Party gained control of the council for the first time since 1977, albeit with a slim majority.

In the previous election, held on 5 May 2005, the Labour Party won a majority with 36 out of 67 seats.

The Conservatives gained Hucknall and the Liberal Democrats Sutton-in-Ashfield North from Labour, and the Labour Party's majority in Mansfield East was reduced by nearly two-thirds.

[2] A key local issue was the planned extension of the Nottingham Express Transit tram system to Clifton and Toton, which was opposed by the Conservatives.

A by-election is held to fill a political office that has become vacant between the scheduled elections.