Three counties going unitary?

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Changes of allegiance

• Babergh: Sue Ayres, who was elected for the Conservatives in Sudbury South West ward but left the party in September 2019, has now returned.
• Bradford: Michelle Swallow, who was elected for the Labour Party in Clayton and Fairweather Green ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Carmarthenshire: Alan Speake, who was elected for Plaid Cymru in Carmarthen Town West division, has joined the Independent group.
• Charnwood: Christine Harris, who was elected for the Labour Party in Loughborough Lemyngton ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Cornwall: John Symons, who was elected for the Conservatives in Penryn East and Mylor division, has joined the Independent group.
• Derbyshire Dales: Two councillors have joined the Green/Independent group. They are Claire Raw, who was elected for the Labour Party in Hathersage and Eyam ward, and Clare Gamble, elected for the Liberal Democrats in Litton and Longstone ward. Richard Bright, elected for the Conservatives in Hulland ward, is now an Independent councillor.
• Erewash: Michael Wallis, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ockbrook and Borrowash ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Hinckley and Bosworth: Huw Williams, who was elected for the Conservatives in Barwell ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Isle of Wight: Michael Murwill, who was elected for the Conservatives in Brading, St Helens and Bembridge division, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Monmouthshire: Alan Davies, who was elected for the Labour Party in Green Lane division, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• North Devon: Glyn Lane, who was elected for the Conservatives in Landkey ward, has joined the Independent group.
• Powys: Gwilym Williams, who was elected for the Conservatives in Disserth and Trecoed division, has joined Action for Powys.
• Redcar and Cleveland: Graham Jeffery, who was elected for the Conservatives in Hutton ward, has joined the Independent group.
• Rutland: Two Conservative councillors have left the party to sit as Independent councillors. They are David Blanksby (Barleythorpe ward) who has returned to the Independent group, and Richard Coleman (Ryhall and Casterton ward) who is sitting as a non-aligned Independent.
• Shropshire: Matt Lee, who was elected for the Conservatives in Llanymynech division but left the party in October 2018, has resumed the party whip.
• Somerset West and Taunton: Sue Buller, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in North Curry and Ruishton ward, has left the party to join the Independent group.
• South Holland: Jack McLean, who was elected for the Conservatives in Spalding St John’s ward, has left the party and is sitting as an ungrouped councillor.
• South Ribble: Paul Wharton-Hardman, who was elected for the Conservatives in Farington East ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• South Tyneside: Angela Hamilton, who was elected for the Labour Party in Beacon and Bents ward but had the party whip removed in October 2019, has been readmitted.
• Stroud: Skeena Rathor, who was elected fro the Labour Party in Stroud Central ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. Likewise Darren Loftus, who was elected for the Conservatives in Chalford ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent.
• Torbay: Two councillors have left the Conservatives and joined the Independents. They are Karen Kennedy and Judith Mills, both of whom represent Churston with Galmpton ward.
• Wiltshire: Peter Fuller, who was elected for the Conservatives in Trowbridge Park division, has left the party to join the Independent group.

New vacancies

• Cheshire West and Chester: Frodsham ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Andrew Dawson who has taken a post with the Falkland Islands Government. Term ends 2023.
• Darlington: Red Hall ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Sam Howarth. Term ends 2023.
• Hertsmere: Bushey North ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Melville. Term ends 2023.
• Newark and Sherwood: Boughton ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Brendan Clarke-Smith, now Member of Parliament for Bassetlaw. Term ends 2023.
• North East Lincolnshire: East Marsh ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Terry Walker. Term ends 2023.
• North Warwickshire: Atherstone Central ward, after the death of Labour councillor Dawn Downes. Term ends 2023.
• North Warwickshire: Curdworth ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Shelly Lebrun, who was elected as a Conservative. Term ends 2023.
• St Albans: Redbourn ward, after the death of Independent councillor Tony Swendell. His term was extended to May so no byelection will be held.
• Staffordshire Moorlands: Cheadle South East ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Peter Elkin. Term ends 2023.
• Swale: Sheerness ward, after the death of Labour councillor Mark Ellen. Term ends 2023.
• Tameside: Longdendale ward, after the disqualification of Labour councillor Chris Buglass who failed to attend any meetings for six months. His term would have been extended to May so no byelection will happen.
• Telford and Wrekin: Dawley and Aqueduct ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Jane Pinter. Term ends 2023.
• Test Valley: Andover Millway ward, after the resignation of Andover Alliance councillor Alison Watts. 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. Regulations in Wales require outstanding byelections to be held in a period between 1 March and 6 May 2021.
• Monmouthshire: The byelection due in St Kingsmark division will be held on 1 April.
• Torfaen: The byelection due in Abersychan and Cwmavon division will be held on 8 April.
• Torfaen: The byelection due in Cwmynyscoy division will be held on 8 April.
• Torfaen: The byelection due in New Inn division will be held on 8 April.

Other updates

• The Secretary of State has announced a consultation on unitary local government in three areas: Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset. As a result he has postponed local elections due in these areas in May by one year. This affects the three County Councils, and also elections to one third of Carlisle, Craven and South Lakeland councils.
• Ryedale: The Conservative and Ryedale First administration has resigned after the full council agreed a council tax rise to which the leadership was opposed.

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