Local elections 2022: Liberal Democrats to take control of Westmorland and Furness Council

The Liberal Democrats have an overwhelming majority on the new Westmorland and Furness Council.

Voters went to the polls on Thursday to choose their representatives on the new authority, which will replace the existing Eden District Council, Barrow Borough Council and South Lakeland District Council, plus the county council, when it comes into being next year.

The make-up of the new authority is:

Liberal Democrats 36
Labour Party 15
Conservative Party 11
Independents 2
Green Party 1

The count took place today – Friday – and started at around 9.30am. The final councillors were declared at 3.44pm as Ulverston was the last past the post.

Councillors will serve a five-year term and the first 12 months will be as members of a shadow authority, which will oversee the planning for the new unitary council, which start in April 2023.

Members will have to appoint a leader and cabinet, plus adopt a constitution and code of conduct. The first meeting of the shadow authority is due to take place on May 17.

It will operate alongside the existing councils until it goes live and will have no responsibility for services until then.

Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle councils will also be dissolved and replaced by Cumberland Council.

Votes for that authority were counted overnight and Labour gained control with 30 seats. Pundits are saying this is a significant victory for the party and this afternoon, Labour leader Keir Starmer was in Carlisle to congratulate members.

Here’s what happened during the count today.

3.44pm

The final result is in from Ulverston and the new Westmorland and Furness Council will be controlled by the Liberal Democrats.

The make-up of the authority is:

Liberal Democrats 36

Labour Party 15

Conservative Party 11

Independents 2

Green Party 1

2.33pm

Pat Bell, who was elected as one of two Liberal Democrats in the Penrith north ward, said: “I am absolutely delighted and I am just so grateful to all the people that came out to vote, particularly for the people who came out to vote for myself and for Mark Rudhall – a brilliant result.”

Mrs Bell, who is a county councillor for Penrith at present, said the first priority of the new council is to get organised with the structures that they will need to put in place.

“And, of course, the group needs to get to know each other, we are bringing people together from potentially three district councils and the county council in the new Westmorland and Furness Council,” she said.

The first meeting of the Liberal Democrat group, which will be in control of the council, will take place tomorrow and it is at that meeting a group leader will be elected.

“I will always be strong voice for my own ward, for Eden, but I am elected as a councillor for Westmorland and Furness, that’s the job,” said Mrs Bell.

2.55pm

Ulverston, which has three seats, will now be the final ward to be declared. 62 councillors have now been elected and the make-up is as follows:

Conservatives 10
Independent 2
Labour 14
Liberal Democrats 36

2.28pm

2.11pm

Mary Robinson #LocalElections2022 pic.twitter.com/IcnFWYQDCI
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022

2.10pm

Michael Hanley #LocalElections2022 pic.twitter.com/r0f9MOJra7
— Cumbria Crack (@CumbriaCrack) May 6, 2022

2.04pm

Seven wards left to declare in the south of the county.

2.02pm

Penrith north
Patricia Ann Bell LD 1,277 (E)
Peter Devine I 122
Harry Fearon C 444
Helen Jane Fearon C 519
Scott Jackson I 138
Ali Ross G first choice candidate 675
Mark Brian Rudhall LD 820 (E)
Wade Tidbuy G second choice candidate 266
Turnout 37.84%

1.54pm

After a flurry of results and a brief chat with Keir Starmer, who said: It’s extremely positive and it’s brilliant. I was here just a week ago and to come back is brilliant. Everyone is so chuffed. It’s good for Cumberland and good for the Labour Party to show what we can do.” – here is where we stand for Westmorland and Furness Council:

51 of 65 councillors have been elected

25 of 33 wards have been declared

The Conservatives have 8 seats

Independents have 2 seats

Labour has 14 seats

The Liberal Democrats have 27

1.39pm

RESULT

Hesket & Lazonby
Colin Atkinson C 676 (E)
Roger Burgin LD 484
Hilary Frances Carrick C 658 (E)
David Evans LD 229
Belinda Lucy Lloyd G 44
Elaine Mary Martin I 599
David Ryland I 530
Turnout: 40.93%

1.38pm

RESULT

Alston & Fellside
Andy Baker LD 402
Michael Richard Beveridge C 425
Michael Timothy Hanley L 824 (E)
Ian Lindley L 572
Dale Andrew Normington C 403
Mary Robinson I 984 (E)
Richard Raymond William Sanderson LD 147
Turnout 41.31%

1.26pm

Workington’s Barbara Cannon and Keir Starmer

1.16pm

RESULT

Penrith north
Patricia Ann Bell LD 1,277 (E)
Peter Devine I
Harry Fearon C
Helen Jane Fearon C
Scott Jackson I
Ali Ross G first choice candidate
Mark Brian Rudhall LD 820 (E)
Wade Tidbuy G second choice candidate
Turnout 37.84%

1.09pm

It’s being reported Labour leader Keir Starmer is in Carlisle, having a cup of tea. He is very pleased with the overnight results and especially Labour’s wins last night to gain control of Cumberland Council.

12.58pm

RESULT

Eden & Lyvennet Vale

Lorna Ann Baker LD 960 (E)
Paula Breen C 630
Neil McCall LD 816 (E)
Mike Tonkin I 466
David Whipp C 585
Turnout 42.03%

12.54pm

#LocalElections2022 Penrith South declaration pic.twitter.com/jHjSyBwNA5
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022

12.52pm

RESULT

Penrith south
Gillian Elizabeth Barnes C – 520
Margaret Clark I -272
Mike Eyles LD – 872 (E)
Richard Kevin O’Brien G – 212
Lee Quinn I – 397
Virginia Christine Taylor LD – 911
Matt Vickers C – 459
Turnout 28.55%

12.48pm

Make-up of the council so far:
16 Liberal Democrats
9 Labour Party
6 Conservative Party

12.40pm

Appleby winners #LocalElections2022 pic.twitter.com/wmw6j1JJBH
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022

12.34pm

Appleby result #LocalElections2022 pic.twitter.com/R34feLNHEe
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022

12.16pm

21 councillors in 10 wards have been elected:
9 Liberal Democrat
9 Labour Party
3 Conservative

12.13pm

Phil Dew – the first Conservative to join Westmorland & Furness Council #LocalElections2022 pic.twitter.com/cgACmxTPxi
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022

12.10pm

Kirkby Stephen results #LocalElections2022 pic.twitter.com/iJTbf1fyFv
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022

12.06pm

Phil Dew is the first Conservative to join the new council.

12.05pm

RESULT Kirkby Stephen & Tebay
Ray Briggs C 266
Phil Dew C 861 (E)
Sandy Lancaster I 496
John Stephen Murray LD 697 (E)
Adrian Harvey Martin Waite LD 557
Turnout 41.90%

12.03pm

Liberal Democrats have overtaken Labour and now hold eight seats on the new council. Labour has six.

11.49am

A total of six Liberal Democrats and six Labour Party members have been elected to the new council so far as seats are declared in Barrow and South Lakeland.

11.06am