Brent petition finally decided

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Changes of allegiance

• Chichester: It is noted that two councillors have left the Conservatives to sit as Independents. They are Martyn Bell (Chichester Central ward) and Christopher Page (North Mundham and Tangmere ward).
• East Devon: Ben Ingham, who was elected as an Independent in Woodbury and Lympstone ward, has joined the Conservative Party.
• Exeter: Rachel Lyons, who was elected for the Labour Party in Pennsylvania ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Guildford: The split in the Conservative group from July 2020 has been healed, and the two groups of four have reunited in a group of eight.
• Havant: Malc Carpenter, who was elected for the UK Independence Party in Battins ward, has left the party and is now sitting as a Hampshire Independent councillor.
• Liverpool: Peter Mitchell, who was elected for the Labour Party in Croxteth ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Malvern Hills: The Liberal Democrat group has split, with four members leaving to join the Independent group. They are Kwai Hung Chan (Link ward), Beverley Nielson (Priory ward), and husband and wife team Kathy Wells and Tom Wells (both Powick ward).
• North Yorkshire: Mike Jordan, who was elected for the Conservatives in South Selby division but joined the Yorkshire Party in July 2018, has returned to the Conservatives.
• Oxfordshire: Hilary Hibbert-Biles, who was elected for the Conservatives in Chipping Norton division, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped Independent councillor.
• Powys: Two councillors have joined the Action for Powys group. They are Joy Jones (Newtown East division), who was elected as an Independent and was previously non-aligned, and Les Skilton (Newtown South division), who was elected for the Conservatives.
• Rochford: George Ioannou, who was elected for the Conservatives in Roche North and Rural ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• South Hams: Jo Sweett, who was elected for the Green Party in Totnes ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• South Kesteven: Susan Sandall, who was elected for the Conservatives in Stamford St John’s ward but had left the party, has now returned.
• South Lanarkshire: Colin McGavigan, who was elected for the Conservatives in Clydesdale South ward, has left the party to sit as an unaffiliated Independent councillor.
• Teignbridge: Alison Eden, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Teignmouth Central ward, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped councillor.
• Tendring: James Codling, who was elected for the UK Independence Party in Bluehouse ward, has joined the Conservative Party.
• Waverley: Liz Townsend, who was elected for the Conservatives in Craneligh West ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats.

New vacancies

• Adur: Peverel ward, after the death of Conservative councillor George Barton. His term was extended to May so no byelection will be held.
• Barking and Dagenham: Thames ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Bill Turner. Term ends 2022.
• Bassetlaw: Ranskill ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Paul Nicholls. Term ends 2023.
• Bassetlaw: Tuxford and Trent ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Keith Isard. Term ends 2023.
• Dover: Mill Hill ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Joe Burman. Term ends 2023.
• East Devon: Whimple and Rockbeare ward, after the resignation of Independent Progressive councillor Kathy McLauchlan. Term ends 2023.
• East Hampshire: Grayshott ward, after the resignation of veteran Conservative councillor and former council leader Ferris Cowper. Term ends 2023.
• East Lindsey: Chapel St Leonards ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Mel Turton-Leivers. Term ends 2023.
• Eden: Skelton ward, after the resignation of former Conservative council leader Kevin Beaty. Term ends 2023.
• Forest of Dean: Cinderford East ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Max Coborn. Term ends 2023.
• Harborough: Market Harborough Little Bowden ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Frankie McHugo. Term ends 2023.
• Huntingdonshire: St Ives East ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Richard Bellamy. Term ends 2022.
• Huntingdonshire: Warboys ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jill Tavener. Term ends 2022.
• Lewisham: Bellingham ward, after the death of Labour councillor Sue Hordijenko. Term ends 2022.
• Liverpool: Croxteth ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Joann Kushner. Term ends 2023.
• North West Leicestershire: Ibstock East ward, after the resignation of Daniel Tebbutt, who was elected for the Labour Party but joined the Conservatives in September 2019. Term ends 2023.
• Northampton: Brookside ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Clement Chunga. His term was due to end when the authority is abolished at the end of March, so no byelection will follow.
• Oldham: Hollinwood ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Martin Judd following a criminal charge. His term was extended to May so will remain vacant.
• Oldham: Royton North ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor James Larkin. His term was extended to May and no byelection will follow.
• Ribble Valley: Billington and Langho ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Ruth Baxter. Term ends 2023.
• Rushcliffe: Sutton Bonington ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Ron Hetherington. Term ends 2023.
• Spelthorne: Staines South ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Nichola Cornes. Term ends 2023.
• Stirling: Forth and Endrick ward, after the death of Scottish National Party councillor Graham Lanbie. Term ends 2022.
• Tewkesbury: Cleeve Hill ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Anna Hollaway. Term ends 2023.
• Thanet: Central Harbour ward, after the death of Labour councillor Peter Campbell. Term ends 2023.
• Torfaen: Cwmynyscoy division, after the resignation of Labour councillor Neil Waite. Term ends 2022.
• West Sussex: Sompting and North Lancing division, after the death of Conservative council councillor George Barton. No byelection will follow as his term would have ended in May.

Dates for byelections

• In England, all current vacancies which do not fill a term ending in 2021 will be held on 6 May 2021, the ordinary day for local elections. The Cabinet Office has confirmed that local elections teams should not plan on this date being brought forward. Regulations in Wales require outstanding byelections to be held in a period between 1 March and 6 May 2021.
• Gwynedd: The byelection due in Llanrug division will be held on 25 March.
• Midlothian: The byelection due in Midlothian East ward will be held on 25 March.

Other updates

• Brent: The High Court has dismissed the election petition brought by the defeated Conservative candidates in the Barnhill ward byelection of January 2020. A recount found only minimal change from the result as declared, and did not substantiate the suspicion of a large number of uncounted ballots. The two successful Labour candidates therefore retain their seats.

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