But they lost two seats – including Hitchin South, which had been held by executive member for growth, infrastructure, planning and the economy Cllr Derrick Ashley.
Conservatives Michael Muir (Baldock and Letchworth East), David Barnard (Hitchin Rural) and Richard Thake (Knebworth and Codicote) all kept their seats.
Conservative cabinet member Cllr Terry Hone (Letchworth South), executive member for community safety and waste management was also returned to County Hall.
And so was Fiona Hill (Royston East and Ermine) – whose result was the last in the county to be declared, just after 11pm on Saturday.
Leader of the county council’s Labour group Judi Billing held on to Hitchin North.
Conservatives also gained Haldens, while holding on to Hatfield East and Hatfield Rural.
Cllr Stephen Boulton will continue to represent Hatfield Rural, but Hatfield East will be represented by Peter Hebden.
In Hertsmere, the Conservatives held on to just four of their seven seats - including in Potters Bar East and Potters Bar West and Shenley.
Leader of the borough council Cllr Morris Bright was among those who held on to his seat.
Overall the Conservatives have retained their control of Herts County Council - but lost their leader in an election shock, when Cllr David Williams lost his seat in Harpenden North East to Lib Dem Paul De Kort.
As well as gaining Harpenden North East, Liberal Democrat candidates – all sitting county councillors – held on to Colney Heath and Marshalswick, St Albans Central, St Albans East and St Albans South.
And Liberal Democrat Helen Campbell also took the St Albans North seat, which had been vacated by Cllr Roma Mills.
All 78 seats on the county council were up for grabs in the election.
Overall the Conservatives won 46 seats – which is three fewer than they held before, but still 14 more than the other Parties put together.
Liberal Democrats took 23 seats – which is five more than before. And Labour’s seven elected councillors is now two less than before.
Liberal Democrat Steve Jarvis kept hold of the Royston West and Rural division.
And it was fellow Lib Dem Paul Clark who took the Hitchin South seat that had been held by Cllr Ashley – by a margin of just 42 votes.
Meanwhile the Conservatives have retained their control of Hertfordshire County Council – but lost their leader in an election shock when Cllr David Williams lost his Harpenden seat to Lib Dem Paul De Kort.
All 78 seats on the county council were up for grabs. The Conservatives won 46 seats – which is three fewer than they held before, but still 14 more than the other parties put together.
Hertfordshire County Council leader David Williams has failed to be re-elected. Credit: St Albans Lib Dems The leader of Hertfordshire County Council has lost his seat after the 2021 local election results were announced. Conservative leader David Williams was narrowly beaten by Liberal Democrat candidate Paul de Kort in Harpenden North East. Although the Conservatives were able to retain a large majority on the county council, Mr Williams defeat will come as huge blow to the party. Mr Williams, who is also chairman of the national County Councils Network, polled 2,022 votes which was lower than Mr de Kort s 2,063. Congratulations Paul de Kort @pauldekort1 elected Lib Dem county councillor for Harpenden North East division pic.twitter.com/46ef7n1wJi St Albans Lib Dems (@StAlbansLDs) May 8, 2021