Happy new councils to Northants

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Result

• Monmouthshire: The byelection in St Kingsmark division held on 1 April was won by Christopher Edwards. Conservative hold.

Changes of allegiance

• Aberdeenshire: Two ‘Social Democratic’ councillors originally elected for the Scottish National Party, have joined the Alba Party. They are Leigh Wilson (Mearns ward) and Alastair Bews (North Kincardine ward). They have been joined by Brian Topping (Fraserburgh and District ward) who was in the Scottish National Party group.
• Bury: Robert Caserta, who was elected for the Conservatives in Pilkington Park ward, has left the party and is sitting as a non-aligned councillor.
• Conwy: David Johnson, who was elected as an Independent in Towyn division, has joined the Conservative Party.
• Eastleigh: Tina Campbell, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Eastleigh Central ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. She has been joined by Sara Tyson-Paine (Eastleigh North ward).
• Eilean Siar: Calum Macmillan, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Barraigh, Bhatarsaigh, Eiriosgaigh agus Uibhist a Deas ward, has joined the Alba Party.
• Fareham: Geoff Fazackerley, who was elected for the Conservatives in Fareham South ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Glasgow: Michelle Ferns, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Shettleston ward, has joined the Alba Party.
• Havering: Jan Sargent, who was elected for the Harold Hill Independent Party in Gooshays ward and had been part of the Independent Residents Group, has now joined the North Havering Residents Group.
• North Ayrshire: Ellen McMaster, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Ardrossan and Arran ward, has joined the Alba Party.
• North Lanarkshire: Lynne Anderson, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Stepps, Chryston and Muirhead ward, has joined the Alba Party. She has been joined by Shahid Farooq (Motherwell North ward).
• Perth and Kinross: Mike Barnacle, who was elected as an Independent in Kinross-shire ward, has joined the Conservative Party.
• Stirling: Maureen Bennison, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Bannockburn ward but left the party in August last year, has joined the Alba Party.
• Watford: Maggie Parker, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Oxhey ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• West Dunbartonshire: Caroline McAllister, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Leven ward, has joined the Alba Party. As a result the SNP/Independent administration on the council has lost its majority.

New vacancies

• Adur: Eastbrook ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor David Balfe. Term ends 2022.
• Adur: Southlands ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Lavinia O’Connor. Term ends 2022.
• Ashfield: Annesley and Kirkby Woodhouse ward, after the resignation of Ashfield Independents councillor Ciaran Brown. Term ends 2023.
• Broxtowe: Beeston Rylands ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Dawn Elliott. Term ends 2023.
• Bury: Moorside ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Sarah Southworth. Term ends 2023.
• Bury: North Manor ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor James Daly, now Member of Parliament for Bury North. Term ends 2022.
• Crawley: Tilgate ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Francis Guidera. Term ends 2022.
• Darlington: Hummersknott ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Paul Howell, now Member of Parliament for Sedgefield. Term ends 2023.
• Epping Forest: Roydon ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Mary Sartin. Term ends 2023.
• Hyndburn: St Andrew’s ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Sara Britcliffe, now Member of Parliament for Hyndburn. Term ends 2022.
• Lancaster: Bulk ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Lucie Carrington. Term ends 2023.
• North Norfolk: Coastal ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Karen Ward. Term ends 2023.
• Newcastle upon Tyne: Arthur’s Hill ward, after the death of Labour councillor Nigel Todd. His term was due to end in May so no byelection will be held.
• Ribble Valley: West Bradford and Grindleton ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Mary Hilton. Term ends 2023.
• South Cambridgeshire: Girton ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Douglas de Lacey. Term ends 2022.
• South Cambridgeshire: Milton and Waterbeach ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Hazel Smith. Term ends 2022.
• Trafford: Bowdon ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Claire Churchill. Term ends 2023.
• Trafford: Flixton ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Shirley Proctor. Term ends 2023.
• Walsall: Pelsall ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Sally Neville. Term ends 2022.

Dates for byelections

• All vacant seats which need to be filled in a byelection have had elections confirmed as taking place on 6 May, with only two exceptions: those in East Garioch ward of Aberdeenshire, and Tividale ward of Sandwell.
• Bridgend: The byelection due in Nant-y-Moel division will be held on 6 May.
• Neath Port Talbot: The byelection due in Aberavon division will be held on 6 May.

Other updates

• On 1 April, local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire formally took effect. The existing district councils together with Northamptonshire county council have been abolished and replaced by two unitary councils for North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.
• Renfrewshire: It is noted that Paul Mack, an Independent councillor for Paisley Southeast ward, has succeeded in his appeal against his disqualification by the Standards Commission for Scotland.

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