RECAP: How the South Tyneside Council local elections unfolded, as Labour kept comfortable control but lost four seats to the Greens, Tories and an Independent
The Gazette team worked through the night to keep readers up-to-date with the results. This is how the night unfolded:
South Tyneside Council elections 2021
Key Events
- Labour lost four seats, but is still comfortably in control of the council
- The Green Party took a seat in Beacon and Bents, where it now has two councillors, and one in West Park
- The Conservatives claimed a seat in Cleadon and East Boldon
- An independent candidate also claimed a seat in Primrose
The final hour
There is now just less than an hour left before the polling stations close - make a dash for it if you’re still planning to vote!
Counting underway
Chris Binding: “Set up at the South Tyneside Council election count at Temple Park Leisure Centre. This year, the count looks a little different with Covid-19 restrictions including face masks, social distancing and one-way systems.”
The ballot boxes are arriving. South Tyneside Council officials will announce the winners of each count as they are confirmed.
Counting is taking place in two stages at Temple Park, to help with operations under covid-secure working.
When will results be in?
The count will be taking place in two parts overnight with all results expected to be declared by around 5am.
When are the results due in?
Due to covid-secure measures and social-distancing, the count is taking longer than usual.
To minimise the number of people in Temple Park leisure centre, the council has employed fewer counting assistants and counting is taking place in two stages.
There are nine counting teams, each team will verify and count two wards over the course of the evening.
Counting for the first nine wards started at 10pm and is expected to finish around 1.15am.
The remaining nine wards will start at 1.30am and will be complete at about 4.45am.
Teams one to eight are in the main sports hall, team nine is in the dance studio.
Some pictures of the county in action
What’s at stake tonight
This chart shows what is at stake tonight for the political parties on South Tyneside Council, comparing the seats up tonight with those which are not being fought for in this year’s elec
Leader up for election
South Tyneside Council leader Tracey Dixon is among councillors up for election tonight, defending her Whitburn and Marsden ward.
Cleadon Park RESULT (Labour hold)
Ian Campbell (Ind) 114
Alex Donaldson (Lab) 752
George Elsom (Ind) 242 J
ohn Riley (Green) 243
Gary Thoburn (Con) 462
11 rejected votes.