The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.
Changes of allegiance
- East Renfrewshire: Stewart Miller, who was elected for the Conservative Party in Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood ward, and was the leader of the party group, has left the party and will sit as an Independent councillor.
- Highland: Three Scottish National Party councillors have formed a breakaway ‘Independents for Independence’ group following the decision to readmit two suspended councillors. The new group is made up of Maxine Smith and Pauline Munro (Cromarty Firth ward), and Liz MacDonald (Nairn and Cawdor ward). Meanwhile Andrew Baxter, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan ward, has left the Independent group and now describes himself as ‘Real Independent’.
- Lancaster: John Reynolds, who was elected for the Labour Party in Carnforth and Millhead ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned Independent councillor.
- Mendip: Bente Height, who was elected as a non-party councillor in Shepton East ward, has rejoined the Conservative Party which she left in 2016.
- Tamworth: Richard Kingstone, who was elected for the Conservatives in Mercian ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
New vacancies
- Hertsmere: Borehamwood Kenilworth ward, after the death of the Mayor of Hertsmere, Cynthia Barker, who was a Conservative councillor. Term ends 2023.
- Pendle: Brierfield ward, after the disqualification of Labour councillor Qamar Shazad, who did not attend (either physically or virtually) any council meeting in six months. Term ends 2023.
- Sefton: Blundellsands ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Sam Marshall. Term ends 2022.
- Sefton: Derby ward, after the death of Labour councillor Michael O’Brien. Term ends 2022.
- Winchester: St Michael ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Kim Gottlieb. Term ends 2023.
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. In Wales, all byelections will be held in a period between 1 February and 16 April 2021.
Other updates
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: The Unity Alliance administration has been removed from power after a full council meeting passed a motion of no confidence in council leader Vikki Slade, proposed by the opposition Conservative group. An extraordinary meeting has been called for 1 October which will elect a new leader.
- Burnley: The council leader has resigned citing infighting, and the ruling multi-party administration appears to have collapsed. A full council meeting on 30 September will elect a new leadership.
- Redbridge: The Labour Party has cleared council leader Jas Athwal of allegations which had seen him suspended from holding office in the party since October last year. Athwal had retained the council leadership throughout his suspension although Deputy Leader Kam Rai was formally leader of the Labour group.
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