Coalition talks latest

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Result

• Suffolk: The byelection in Felixstowe Coastal division held on 4 May was won by Seamus Bennett. Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative.

Changes of allegiance

• Gloucestershire: Nick Housden, who was elected for the Conservatives in Stonehouse division, has been suspended from the group and is sitting as an Independent county councillor.
• Isle of Wight: Michael Lilley, who was elected as an Independent in Ryde Appley and Elmfield division and had been a member of the Alliance Group, has joined the Liberal Democrats. It is also noted that an Empowering Islanders group has been formed by three former Independent members of the Alliance Group (Christopher Jarman of Totland and Colwell division, David Adams of Nettlestone and Seaview division, and John Medland of Freshwater South division) together with formerly Independent Conservative councillor Peter Spink of Freshwater North and Yarmouth division.
• Stockton-on-Tees: Shakeel Hussain, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ropner ward, has been suspended and had the whip removed while the party investigates social media posts.

New vacancies

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: East Cliff and Springbourne ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Martin Bedford. Term ends 2027.
• Dorset: Sherborne West division, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Matt Hall who is moving out of the county. Term ends 2024.
• Dudley: Cradley and Wollescote ward, after the death of Labour councillor Richard Body just days after being re-elected. Term ends 2027.
• Worcester: Nunnery ward, after the death of Labour councillor Simon Cronin who was only re-elected last week. Term ends 2024.

Date for byelection

• Bath and North East Somerset: The election in Paulton ward postponed from 4 May will be held on 22 June.
• Plymouth: The byelection due in Efford and Lipson ward will be held on 15 June.
• South Derbyshire: The election in Hilton ward postponed from 4 May will be held on 15 June.
• Sunderland: The election in Hendon ward postponed from 4 May will be held on 15 June.
• Surrey Heath: The election in Frimley Green ward postponed from 4 May will be held on 15 June.
• West Devon: The election in Burrator ward postponed from 4 May will be held on 15 June.

Other updates

• Brentwood: The Labour group think it likely they will be able to agree a pact with the Liberal Democrats to run the council.
• Broadland: The Liberal Democrats are seeking to form a ‘rainbow’ administration with Labour and the Green Party; the Labour group seems interested.
• Burnley: It seems likely that the Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition which previously ran the council will be continued.
• Canterbury: It is likely that Labour will lead the council and the party has started talking to the Liberal Democrats and Green Party about whether that is a minority administration or a coalition.
• Central Bedfordshire: The outgoing leader of the Independent group hopes to form a single group and take the leadership of the council.
• Charnwood: An agreement between Labour and the Green Party for a minority Labour administration with Green support has reportedly been reached.
• Cherwell: A coalition between Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent councillors is likely. The Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent councillors are already part of an ‘Oxfordshire Progressive’ group. However the Conservatives will continue in office unless removed by an explicit vote in full council.
• Cheshire East: The Independent group of 14 councillors has begun talking to both Labour and Conservative groups to discuss who will form an administration. They had been in alliance with Labour in the previous term.
• Colchester: The Liberal Democrats and Labour are likely to continue their power sharing, with some discussions about whether to bring in the Green Party.
• Darlington: Coaltion talks are reported to have begun by Labour.
• East Lindsey: The Conservatives are hopeful of forming a minority administration.
• East Suffolk: It is reported that talks have begun between Green Party, Labour and Liberal Democrats.
• Elmbridge: The coalition of Residents’ Association councillors and Liberal Democrats is to continue, with the council leadership now held by a Liberal Democrat.
• Forest of Dean: The Green Party is hoping to form a ‘traffic light alliance’ with Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
• Hartlepool: Although Labour has half of the councillors, it is thought likely that all Independent councillors will join a coalition with the Conservatives which may be able to retain control on the Mayor’s casting vote.
• Hertsmere: The Labour leader reports progress in negotiating a coallition with the Liberal Democrats; the current Conservative council leader failed to persuade the Liberal Democrats to discuss working together.
• Hyndburn: The Green Party has agreed to support a minority Conservative administration.
• King’s Lynn and West Norfolk: Labour has been given approval to enter coalition talks with the Independents.
• Lewes: A co-operative alliance between Green Party, Liberal Democrat and Labour is likely to be formed.
• Lichfield: As Labour have declined coalition talks, a minority Conservative administration is likely.
• Maidstone: It is likely that a minority Conservative administration will continue; a vote to remove them would need to be passed to effect any change.
• Newark and Sherwood: The Independent group are seeking to form a coalition which will enable them to lead the council.
• North Lincolnshire: After the declaration of the result following the election on 4 May, 864 postal votes from Broughton and Scawby ward were discovered uncounted. It is possible that there may be a petition for a recount.
• North Somerset: A Partnership Administration has been agreed between the Liberal Democrats, Independents, Labour, Green Party and Portishead Independent councillors.
• Pendle: Following Conservative losses the Liberal Democrats are talking to other groups about council control.
• Redcar and Cleveland: Labour has declined to enter coalition talks, but has offered to be a minority administration.
• Ribble Valley: An election petition is to be lodged in Whalley and Painter Wood ward, and possibly also in Whalley Nethertown ward, after some electors were mistakenly registered in the wrong ward.
• Slough: The Conservatives have said they intend to form an administration whether or not the Liberal Democrats support them.
• South Gloucestershire: Negotiations between Liberal Democrat and Labour have started, to the ire of the Conservatives.
• Southend-on-Sea: It is possible the Conservatives will form a minority administration, as the Independent group seem unwilling to remain in the coalition with Labour and Liberal Democrats.
• Staffordshire Moorlands: Labour is hoping to form an administration and thinks it is close to an agreement with the Independent councillors.
• Stockport: Although a minority Liberal Democrat administration is most likely, Labour is still trying to do a deal with the other groups.
• Swale: A wide coalition of parties is likely to be involved in the new administration.
• Tewkesbury: The Liberal Democrats are likely to provide the council leadership but have begun talking to other groups to gain support.
• West Lindsey: A Liberal Democrat administration is likely as at least one Independent councillor will support them.
• Worcester: Discussions over the council leadership have taken place between all parties; the constitution currently requires a leader and deputy leader from two different parties.

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