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
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
Judith Derbyshire #LocalElections2022 pic.twitter.com/kSio7IsGfK
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022
Overall turnout for Eden wards is 39.56 per cent
10.33am
RESULT
Greystoke & Ullswater
Judith Margaret Derbyshire LD 1,150
Debbie Wicks C 475
Turnout 48 per cent
10.23am
#localelections2022
— Cumberland & Westmorland Herald (@CWHerald) May 6, 2022
We speak to Neil Hughes pic.twitter.com/2ESL2JCzE0
10.18am
RESULT: Eamont & Shap
Neil Hughes LD 1,031
Tom Lowther C 539
Turnout 45.8%
10am
The count has begun at Penrith Leisure Centre