Coalition time for Cambs

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

All the results of the 6 May 2021 local elections, including byelections taking place on that day, have been added to localcouncils. It is not proposed to note each of the 255 byelections which elected 257 councillors, but in two councils the byelections have significance in terms of council control.

• Bolsover: Labour’s gain from an Independent in Pinxton ward means that Labour has an overall majority on the council.
• Thanet: The Conservatives gained two seats: Dane Valley ward from Thanet Independents, and Newington from Labour. The council however remains without a new leader.

Changes of allegiance

• Arun: Samantha-Jayne Staniforth, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Orchard ward, has joined the Conservative Party.
• Barnet: Shimon Ryde, who was elected for the Conservatives in Childs Hill ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Bath and North East Somerset: Paul Myers, who was elected for the Conservatives in Midsomer Norton Redfield ward and was the Conservative group leader, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• Bolton: David Evans, who was elected for the Labour Party in Little Lever and Darcy Lever ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Elmbridge: Neil Houston, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Long Ditton ward, has joined the Residents’ Association group on the council.
• Glasgow: Martin Bartos, who was elected for the Scottish Green Party in Partick East/Kelvindale ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor over criticisms of the party manifesto in the Scottish Parliament election.
• Leeds: Paul Drinkwater, who was elected for the Labour Party in Killingbeck and Seacroft ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Somerset West and Taunton: Marcus Kravis, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Old Cleeve and District ward, has left the party to sit as a non-political councillor. As a result the Liberal Democrats no longer have an overall majority. He will however retain his role as Portfolio Holder for Asset Management and Economic Development.
• Thanet: Simon Day, who was elected for the Conservatives in Birchington North ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.

New vacancies

• Chelmsford: Writtle ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Malcolm Watson. Term ends 2023.
• Chichester: Chichester East ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Kevin Hughes. Term ends 2023.
• East Devon: Honiton St Michael’s ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Luke Jeffery. Term ends 2021.
• Harlow: Mark Hall ward, after the death of Labour councillor Danny Purton. Term ends 2022.
• Newark and Sherwood: Bridge ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Irene Brown (a second vacancy in this ward). Term ends 2023.
• Renfrewshire: Paisley Southeast ward, after the disqualification of Independent councillor Paul Mack by the Standards Commission for Scotland. Term ends 2022.
• Somerset West and Taunton: North Curry and Ruishton ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Philip Stone. Term ends 2023.
• Somerset West and Taunton: Old Cleeve and District ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Pilkington. Term ends 2023.
• Swindon: Priory Vale ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Emma Faramarzi who was elected for the Conservatives. Term ends 2022.
• Waltham Forest: Lea Bridge ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Yemi Osho. Term ends 2022.
• West Lothian: East Livingston and East Calder ward, after the death of Labour councillor Dave King. Term ends 2022.

Dates for byelections

• Aberdeenshire: The byelection due in East Garioch ward will be held on 17 June.
• Chichester: The byelection due in Chichester East ward will be held on 24 June.
• Mid Devon: The byelection due in Upper Culm ward will be held on 17 June.
• Waltham Forest: The byelection due in Grove Green ward will be held on 10 June.
• Waltham Forest: The byelection due in Lea Bridge ward will be held on 10 June.

Postponed polls

• Kent: The election in Elham Valley division, which was postponed from 6 May by the death of a candidate, will now take place on 17 June.
• Tandridge: The byelection in Felbridge ward, which was 6 May by the death of a candidate, will now take place on 17 June.

Other updates

• Bolton: Negotiations between parties about the council administration continue; continuation of the Conservative minority administration is likely.
• Cambridgeshire: A coalition deal has been agreed between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and four Independent councillors.
• Colchester: The Conservatives have reached an agreement with the Highwoods Independents to form a joint administration; it will depose a Liberal Democrat/Labour coalition which has lasted for 13 years.
• Crawley: Discussions between parties about the council’s future administration continue but the situation is likely to see a Conservative-led administration.
• Derby: The Conservatives are seeking to retain minority control with Labour agreeing this is a fair outcome, but with opposition from the Liberal Democrat group.
• Hartlepool: The Independent Union has said the coalition with Conservatives and some Independents which ran the council before the election is to continue.
• Milton Keynes: A Progressive Alliance has been formed between Labour and the Liberal Democrats to run the council.
• Newham: A referendum on 6 May voted against ending the directly-elected Mayor system.
• Oxfordshire: Talks about running the council are taking place; the Liberal Democrats and Greens are likely to form a single group. Meanwhile the Conservatives have proposed a coalition with Labour, an Independent and the Henley Residents’ Group.
• Plymouth: It is likely the Conservatives will form the next administration with the agreement of the Independent councillors, most of whom were elected as Conservatives.
• Portsmouth: Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have claimed the mandate to run the council but Labour is negotiating with the Liberal Democrats.
• Sheffield: A referendum on 6 May approved a change to the committee system. The council is now under no overall control and negotiations between the parties are continuing.
• Southend-on-Sea: The ‘rainbow coalition’ of Labour, Independent and Liberal Democrat councillors which has been running the council since 2019, is likely to continue.
• Stockport: As the Liberal Democrats are now the largest group, they are seeking to form the new administration; the incumbent Labour leader is seeking to remain and under the constitution will do so unless removed by a majority vote.
• Tower Hamlets: A referendum on 6 May decided to keep a directly-elected Mayor.
• Tunbridge Wells: Although the Conservative administration has half of the council seats, the Liberal Democrats are seeking to form an alternative administration.
• West Lancashire: The Labour group is seeking to continue as a minority administration after losing its majority in the elections.
• Woking: Future control of the council is uncertain as the Conservatives are unwilling to continue as a minority, but Labour’s keenness to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats is not reciprocated.

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