The Liberal Democrats scored a victory in the byelection in Staple Tye ward of Harlow borough council held on 30 April, taking back a seat that they had held some years ago but had more recently been won by the Conservatives. The outgoing Conservative councillor had left his group after being charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl and is currently on remand in jail awaiting trial.
Labour held its seat in Bannockburn ward of Stirling council, where the outgoing councillor had been disqualified by the Standards Commission. The Conservatives held on to their ultra-safe Tadworth and Walton ward of Reigate and Banstead borough council, and the Liberal Democrats held East Ecclesfield ward on Sheffield city council.
Two long-serving councillors on Blaenau Gwent county borough council, John Hopkins and David Lyn Elias who both represent Brynmawr ward, have announced that they are leaving the Labour group and sitting as Independents. Hopkins was formerly Leader of the council and stood for Labour in the 2006 byelection to the National Assembly for Wales.
Details about candidates fighting local byelections are often available on the invaluable and politically neutral Votewise site which can be found at the end of this link.
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