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Durham County Council election results: Reform UK takes control Durham County Council election results: Reform UK takes control
(31 minutes later)
Counting is under way at Durham County Council, where 98 seats are being declared Reform UK celebrated its local election success in County Durham
Reform UK has taken control of Durham County Council after winning more than half of its seats. Reform UK has taken control of Durham County Council after winning more than half of the seats.
It has secured 61 seats so far, gaining heavily from Labour, the Conservatives and independents. It secured 65 councillors, gaining heavily from Labour, the Conservatives and independents, with all 98 results now declared.
The council was previously run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Tories and independent councillors.The council was previously run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Tories and independent councillors.
There are 98 seats being contested on the local authority, as counting continues. Speaking in Newton Aycliffe, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who visited the area during the campaign, said "it really is good to be back in County Durham".
Among the newly elected councillors is former GB News presenter Darren Grimes, who is from County Durham, and who won one of two seats for Reform representing the Annfield Plain and Tanfield ward.Among the newly elected councillors is former GB News presenter Darren Grimes, who is from County Durham, and who won one of two seats for Reform representing the Annfield Plain and Tanfield ward.
"I gave up a job in telly land to stand here and do this," he said."I gave up a job in telly land to stand here and do this," he said.
"I'm obviously personally delighted but I'm also really humbled by the number of people who put their trust and faith in us to deliver for them.""I'm obviously personally delighted but I'm also really humbled by the number of people who put their trust and faith in us to deliver for them."
He said if Reform UK took control of the council, they would "get the auditors in" to make sure no money was being wasted.He said if Reform UK took control of the council, they would "get the auditors in" to make sure no money was being wasted.
Darren Grimes said he wanted an audit of the council's finances to be carried outDarren Grimes said he wanted an audit of the council's finances to be carried out
One of the election's casualties was local Labour leader Carl Marshall, who lost his seat in Stanley to Reform. Liberal Democrat leader Amanda Hopgood - who was previously council leader - has retained her seat, with her party securing 14 councillors, increasing its number by one. The Green Party also picked up an extra seat, taking its number of councillors to two.
Labour has been left with just four seats on the council, with local leader Carl Marshall one of the political casualties, losing his seat in Stanley to Reform.
Marshall said the council was in "decent financial nick" but Reform would have to have some "very challenging discussions because of the cost pressures" County Durham faced.Marshall said the council was in "decent financial nick" but Reform would have to have some "very challenging discussions because of the cost pressures" County Durham faced.
Liberal Democrat leader Amanda Hopgood - who was previously council leader - has retained her seat. The Conservatives have just one councillor from the previous 16, with local party leader Richard Bell holding on to his Upper Teesdale seat. There are 14 independent councillors.
Results in County Durham are continuing to be declared throughout the afternoon. The Durham County Council election results
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would be visiting the North East following his party's success. Labour MP for Blaydon and Consett Liz Twist, who attended the Durham County Council count, said the local election results showed her party needed to "move faster" when enacting its policy changes.
Meanwhile, Reform also won its first seat on Hartlepool Borough Council following a by-election. "We have a clear plan and we need to make sure people understand that plan," she said.
Results elsewhere
Reform also won its first seat on Hartlepool Borough Council following a by-election.
Amanda Napper took the Throston ward seat from Labour with 889 votes.Amanda Napper took the Throston ward seat from Labour with 889 votes.
Speaking after the count, she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service her priorities would be to tackle anti-social behaviour.Speaking after the count, she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service her priorities would be to tackle anti-social behaviour.
"When you see the state of Throston ward it makes you realise how much hard work it needs to pull it into shape, so I'm fully eyes wide open to the amount of work needed," she said."When you see the state of Throston ward it makes you realise how much hard work it needs to pull it into shape, so I'm fully eyes wide open to the amount of work needed," she said.
Amanda Napper becomes the first Reform UK councillor on Labour-led Hartlepool Borough Council following a by-electionAmanda Napper becomes the first Reform UK councillor on Labour-led Hartlepool Borough Council following a by-election
Elsewhere in the North East, Labour managed to hold off Reform in a tightly run race for North Tyneside mayor.Elsewhere in the North East, Labour managed to hold off Reform in a tightly run race for North Tyneside mayor.
Karen Clark was elected to the post, replacing Dame Norma Redfearn who stepped down from the role, which effectively leads the council.Karen Clark was elected to the post, replacing Dame Norma Redfearn who stepped down from the role, which effectively leads the council.
In Northumberland, the Conservatives held on to 26 county council seats to remain the largest party there, but fell short of the 35 needed for a majority.In Northumberland, the Conservatives held on to 26 county council seats to remain the largest party there, but fell short of the 35 needed for a majority.
Reform surged into second place, with 23 new councillors elected.Reform surged into second place, with 23 new councillors elected.
Additional reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.Additional reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.