2023-24 Local Government By-Elections

[Harry Hayfield]

Jan 9, 2024 21:13:29 GMT Davıd Boothroyd said:

I'm told Damien Egan has formally resigned today, so the byelection for Mayor of Lewisham is expected in February. (Should the new Mayor be a current councillor there will be a knock-on third byelection)

The result in 2022 was Lab 58%, Green 16%, Con 12%, Lib Dem 10%, TUSC 2%, CPA 1%, Ind 1% (and in the by-election I would expect a Labour to Green swing)

[The Bishop]

Jan 9, 2024 11:23:00 GMT ricmk said:

Unless there's more to this than meets the eye, odd timing to resign now rather than in March, if they are looking at a May election though

Maybe on this occasion "health reasons" is actually truthful?

And yes, I would expect a "double" election in May in any event.

[East Anglian Lefty]

Jan 9, 2024 11:23:00 GMT ricmk said:

Brigid McBride (Lab), Loughton and Shenley ward in Milton Keynes has resigned.
She was only elected in May. "For health reasons." Lab have announced their candidate will be Leo Montague, who stood down as a Lib Dem Councillor for Monkston ward in May.

Is the choice of candidate a particular surprise? I guess that given the lack of wards where the two parties are directly competing and the local coalition, LD/Labour relations are relatively good, but I don't know what that means in terms of ease of moving from one party to another.

[ricmk]

Not a surprise that Leo has joined Labour, he‘s been actively campaigning since May and had clearly decided to switch long beforehand. So fair play to him for waiting till his term expired, a switch rather than a defection. He‘s also featured heavily in Labour targetted campaigning in MK Central to encourage tactical LD votes.

Whether he was expecting to have on opportunity to return to the Council in his new colours so quickly - no idea. But a good egg. Relations between 2 still good but straining a little at the edges after Newport Pagnell by-election and Labour sizing up majority control in May.

[carolus]

Derbyshire Dales, Bakewell (2027). Mark Wakeman (Conservative) has been removed from the list of councillors.

[Rutlander]

North Northamptonshire UA:
Mike Tebbutt (CON; Desborough ward)

Cllr Tebbutt was elected to North Northamptonshire Council in May 2021 as a Conservative. He had served on Kettering Borough Council from 2003.
www.northnorthants.gov.uk/news/tributes-paid-north-northamptonshire-councillor-cllr-mike-tebbutt

[cj]

Great Yarmouth BC: Central & Northgate Ward by-election expected on the 29th February following the resignation of Mike Smith-Clare (Lab) for personal and health reasons.

Mr Smith-Clare's personal/health reasons will not affect his continuance as, the more generously remunerated, deputy group leader at Norfolk CC (representing Yarmouth Nelson and Southtown division).

Report from the local rag

[gwynthegriff]

Jan 11, 2024 21:33:17 GMT cj said:

Great Yarmouth BC: Central & Northgate Ward by-election expected on the 29th February following the resignation of Mike Smith-Clare (Lab) for personal and health reasons.

Mr Smith-Clare's personal/health reasons will not affect his continuance as, the more generously remunerated, deputy group leader at Norfolk CC (representing Yarmouth Nelson and Southtown division).

Report from the local rag

They pay deputy/ group leaders?

[maxque]

Jan 11, 2024 21:53:16 GMT gwynthegriff said:

Jan 11, 2024 21:33:17 GMT cj said:

Great Yarmouth BC: Central & Northgate Ward by-election expected on the 29th February following the resignation of Mike Smith-Clare (Lab) for personal and health reasons.

Mr Smith-Clare's personal/health reasons will not affect his continuance as, the more generously remunerated, deputy group leader at Norfolk CC (representing Yarmouth Nelson and Southtown division).

Report from the local rag

They pay deputy/ group leaders?

Yes, according to the local Constitution, group leaders are paid 50% of the Council Leader's SRA if they have more 31 or more members, 33% if they have between 21 and 30 members and 25% if they have between 9 and 20 members. His/her deputy is paid 25% of what is paid to the group leader. So, he is paid £1,801 per year.

[iainbhx]

Jan 11, 2024 21:53:16 GMT gwynthegriff said:

Jan 11, 2024 21:33:17 GMT cj said:

Great Yarmouth BC: Central & Northgate Ward by-election expected on the 29th February following the resignation of Mike Smith-Clare (Lab) for personal and health reasons.

Mr Smith-Clare's personal/health reasons will not affect his continuance as, the more generously remunerated, deputy group leader at Norfolk CC (representing Yarmouth Nelson and Southtown division).

Report from the local rag

They pay deputy/ group leaders?

An extra £4,503 per annum for a deputy group leader of a group of more than 31 members.

[cj]

Jan 11, 2024 21:53:16 GMT gwynthegriff said:

Jan 11, 2024 21:33:17 GMT cj said:

Great Yarmouth BC: Central & Northgate Ward by-election expected on the 29th February following the resignation of Mike Smith-Clare (Lab) for personal and health reasons.

Mr Smith-Clare's personal/health reasons will not affect his continuance as, the more generously remunerated, deputy group leader at Norfolk CC (representing Yarmouth Nelson and Southtown division).

Report from the local rag

They pay deputy/ group leaders?

I had just meant he will keep c.£12k p.a. (+45p/mile travel exce's) as opposed to the c.£6k p.a. he will surrender for personal/health reasons; but yes he will get just under £2k p.a. on top as deputy group leader as well. As has since been pointed out so quickly by other forumites; that in itself is a pleasant reminder of of some of the breadth and depth of knowledge you find in these parts as well as some of the less enjoyable traits of a few. Almost makes me want to sign back in more often, almost!

[The Bishop]

I suppose it is always possible that they are still well enough to do one job, but not two

[cj]

Jan 12, 2024 10:27:48 GMT The Bishop said:

I suppose it is always possible that they are still well enough to do one job, but not two

And who in their right mind wouldn't pick the more intensive role, with morning meetings and the joy of having to slog your way along the Acle Straight in rush hour, rather than a 20 minute stroll to the town hall of an evening?  indeed...

On a human level I hope it works for him, when my depression felt particularly insurmountable I cut down on some committee memberships and outside body involvement, I certainly think folks shouldn't be or feel excluded in participation due to health issues (indeed they can add a perspective often lacking from others involvement), and well perhaps his support network is better at county hall than the town hall (having just thought about that it wouldn't surprise me at all!), or perhaps he's more a hardcore mindfulness enjoyer.

[carolus]

18 January:
Hackney, Cazenove (2026). Caroline Woodley (Labour) has been elected mayor.
Richmond upon Thames, Hampton North (2026). Geoffrey Samuel (Conservative) has died.
Richmond upon Thames, Teddington (2026). Martin Elengorn (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Sheffield, Stannington (2026). Vickie Priestly (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Wandsworth, Tooting Broadway (2026). Kate Forbes (Labour) has resigned.
Warwick, Warwick All Saints & Woodloes (2026). Raj Kang (Labour) has resigned.

25 January:
Stirling, Dunblane & Bridge of Allan (2027). Douglas Dodds (Conservative) has resigned.

8 February:
Blaenau Gwent, Ebbw Vale South (2027). Carl Bainton (Labour, elected as Independent) has ceased to be a councillor.
Cheshire East, Crewe Central (2027). Anthony Critchley (Labour) has resigned.
Gwynedd, Criccieth (2027). Eirwyn Williams (Independent) has died.

West Northamptonshire, East Hunsbury & Shelfleys (2025). Suresh Patel (Conservative) has resigned.

15 February:

Dacorum, Tring West & Rural (2027). John Mottershead (Liberal Democrat) has ceased to be a councillor.

East Hampshire, Four Marks & Medstead (2027). Joanna Nelson (Liberal Democrat) has ceased to be a councillor.

22 February:

Buckinghamshire, Farnham Common & Burnham Beeches (2025). David Anthony (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.
Buckinghamshire, Hazlemere (2025). Ron Gaffney (Conservative) has died.

Derbyshire Dales, Bakewell (2027). Mark Wakeman (Conservative) has been removed from the list of councillors.
Derbyshire Dales, Norbury (2027). Tony Morley (Conservative) has died.

Folkestone & Hythe, Romney Marsh (2027). Liz Grant (Conservative) has resigned.

Milton Keynes, Loughton & Shenley (2027). Brigid McBride (Labour) has resigned.

Scottish Borders, Jedburgh & District (2027). Pam Brown (SNP) has resigned.

Wiltshire, Calne Chilvester & Abberd (2025). Tony Trotman (Conservative) has died.

29 February:

Great Yarmouth, Central & Northgate (2027). Mike Smith-Clare (Labour) has resigned.

Known Vacancies where a byelection is expected:
Cambridgeshire, Yaxley & Farcet (2025). Mac Maguire (Conservative) has died.
East Riding of Yorkshire, Minster & Woodmansey (2027). Peter Astell (Liberal Democrat) has died.
East Riding of Yorkshire, Tranby (2027). Viv Padden (Liberal Democrat) has died.

Glasgow, Hillhead (2027). Hanzala Malik (Labour) has died.

Horsham, Henfield (2027). Malcolm Eastwood (Independent) has ceased to be a councillor.

Ipswich, St John's (2026). Sophie Connelly (Labour) has died.

Kingston-upon-Hull, Avenue (2026). Marjorie Brabazon (Labour) has resigned.

Lancaster, Carnforth & Millhead (2027). Paul Gardner (Labour) has died.

Lewisham, Mayoral (2026). Damien Egan (Labour) has resigned.

Neath Port Talbot, Briton Ferry East (2027). Chris James (Independent) has ceased to be a councillor.
Neath Port Talbot, Neath East (2027). Sheila Penry (Labour) has died.

Neath Port Talbot, Rhos (2027). Marcia Spooner (Plaid Cymru) has died.

North Northamptonshire, Desborough (2025). Mike Tebbutt (Conservative) has died.

North Tyneside, Cullercoats (2024). Linda Arkley (Conservative) has died.

Somerset, Somerton (2026, 2027). Dean Ruddle (Liberal Democrat) has died.

Wiltshire, Cricklade & Latton (2025). Bob Jones (Liberal Democrat) has died.

Worcestershire, Evesham North West (2025). Peter Griffiths (Conservative) has died.

Known Vacancies where the six month rule applies and so a byelection will not be held:
Barnsley, Darton East (2024). Mat Crisp (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.
Barnsley, Kingstone (2024). Pooja Ramchandani (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.

Basildon, Billericay East (2027). David Dadds (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.

Calderdale, Illingworth & Mixenden (2024). Guy Beech (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.

Castle Point, Canvey Island North (2024). John Payne (Canvey Island Independent Party) has ceased to be a councillor.
Havant, Hart Plain (2024). Carly Scannell (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Lemington (2024). Jason Smith (Newcastle Independents) has resigned.
Pendle, Earby & Coates (2024). Rosemary Carroll (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.
Rossendale, Longholme (2024). Steve Hughes (Labour) has resigned.
Stroud, Nailsworth (2024). Norman Kay (Green) has died.

[Davıd Boothroyd]

These three are also on 15 February

Kingston-upon-Hull, Avenue
Neath Port Talbot, Brison Ferry East
Neath Port Talbot, Rhos

(But not Neath East)

Plus there are two City of London Aldermen being elected on 1 February: Cheap (v. Robert Charles Hughes-Penney) and Candlewick (v. Emma Edhem).

[andrewteale]

Edhem and Hughes-Penney were both elected for the first time in July 2018.

There are two more Aldermen whose customary six-year terms are either overdue or will expire this year: they are last year's Lord Mayor Nicholas Lyons (first elected for Tower ward in September 2017) and this year's Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli (last re-elected for Broad Street ward in December 2018).

[Terry Weldon]

Waverley BC, Milford and Witley ward: Cllr Andy Law (LibDem) has sadly died.

Andy was a stalwart of the local LibDems for years, a friend, and a great help to me personally when I first started to get seriously involved with LibDem campaigning technology. He will be sadly missed.

[ricmk]

Jan 14, 2024 13:38:13 GMT Terry Weldon said:

Waverley BC, Milford and Witley ward: Cllr Andy Law (LibDem) has sadly died.

Andy was a stalwart of the local LibDems for years, a friend, and a great help to me personally when I first started to get seriously involved with LibDem campaigning technology. He will be sadly missed.

"Like" doesn't quite feel right for that post but it feels it deserves a response.  Sorry to hear this and pleased that his influence has been so clearly recognised.

[robbienicoll]

Incoming resignation of James Stockan, Independent for Stromness and South Isles, Orkney.

www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands-islands/6334539/orkney-council-leader-james-stockan-resigns-leaves/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

[carolus]

Teignbridge, Ashburton & Buckfastleigh (2027). Huw Cox (Liberal Democrat) has died. www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/tributes-truly-great-devon-builder-9038480