First ever Scottish Green byelection win

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Bridgend: The byelection in Aberkenfig ward held on 7 March was won by Gary Haines. Labour gain from Plaid Cymru.
• Carmarthenshire: The byelection in Elli ward held on 6 March was won by Stephen Williams as an Independent candidate; he succeeds another Independent. It is not yet clear if he will join the Independent group or remain unaffiliated.
• Glasgow: The byelection in Hillhead ward held on 7 March was won by Seonad Hoy. Scottish Green Party gain from Labour.
• Lewisham: The byelection for the Mayor of Lewisham held on 7 March was won by Brenda Dacres. Labour hold.
• Mid Devon: The byelection in Upper Yeo and Taw ward held on 7 March was won by Alex White. Liberal Democrat gain from an Independent elected as a Conservative.

Changes of allegiance

• Cheshire West and Chester: Simon Boone, who was elected as an Independent in Winsford Swanlow ward sponsored by Winsford Salt of the Earth, has now severed his connection with the group and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Highland: Karl Rosie, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Thurso and Northwest Caithness ward but left the party last month to join the Highland Independents, has now joined the Alba Party.
• Hounslow: Amritpal Mann, who was elected for the Labour Party in Heston East ward, has left the group and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Ipswich: Tony Gould, who was elected for the Conservatives in Whitton ward, has left the group to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Luton: Stuart Miller, who was elected for the Conservatives in Bramingham ward, has left the group and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• North Northamptonshire: Elliot Prentice, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ise ward, has joined the Labour Party.
• Oxfordshire: Kevin Bulmer, who was elected for the Conservatives in Goring division, has been suspended from the party over social media use.
• Peterborough: Kirsty Knight, who was elected for the Green Party in Orton Waterville ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Rotherham: Dominic Beck, who was elected for the Labour Party in Wales ward, has left the group and is sitting as a non-aligned Independent councillor.
• Tunbridge Wells: Suzanne Wakeman, who was elected for the Tunbridge Wells Alliance in Paddock Wood East ward, has left the group to form an ‘Independents for Tunbridge Wells’ group together with David Hayward (Pembury ward).

New vacancies

• Brighton and Hove: Queen’s Park ward, after the resignation of non-aligned councillor Chandni Mistry, who was elected for Labour but expelled in December after questions over her home address. Term ends 2027.
• Brighton and Hove: Kemptown ward, after the resignation of non-aligned councillor Bharti Gajjar, who was elected for Labour but expelled in December after questions over her home address. Term ends 2027.
• Durham: Horden division, after the death of Labour councillor Isabella Roberts. Term ends 2025.
• Lewisham: Deptford ward, after the disqualification of Brenda Dacres, now Mayor of Lewisham. Term ends 2026.
• Oxford: St Clements ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Tom Hayes, in order to concentrate on his Parliamentary candidacy in Bournemouth East. His term was to have ended in May so he will not be replaced.
• Rushmoor: Fernhill ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jess Auton. Her term was due to end in May so no byelection will follow.
• Sefton: Litherland ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Trish Hardy. No byelection will be held as her term would have ended in May.
• Waverley: Farnham Castle ward, after the resignation of Farnham Residents councillor Heather McClean. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• Angus: The byelection due in Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheilm ward will be held on 25 April.
• North Yorkshire: The byelection due in Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone ward will be held on 11 April.
• Pembrokeshire: The byelection due in St Ishmaels ward will be held on Tuesday 16 April.

Other updates

• Liverpool: The Secretary of State has reduced the scope of his intervention in the council, with further functions to be returned at the end of March.
• Sandwell: Following a favourable report from the Commissioners, the Secretary of State has ended the intervention in the council as of 22 March.
• Thurrock: The Secretary of State has ordered that the council will move to all out elections in 2025 and at four year intervals thereafter. The one-third election due this May will still go ahead.

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