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
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.
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.
More wards to watch
Chris Binding: “Other wards to look out for tonight include Bede, Fellgate and Hedworth, Primrose and Westoe. Independent candidates were elected in all of these wards in the last local elections in 2019.”
Fellgate and Hedworth RESULT (Lab hold)
John Cullen (Ind) 643
Paul D’Ambrosie (Ind) 61
Kelly Hill (Green) 69
Audrey Elizabeth Fay (Lab and Co-op) 1,264
Holly Wright (Con) 290