Local Elections 2026: Early results show Reform surge and Labour losses

08/05/2026

With counting still under way and 44 of 136 English councils declared, early results point to a turbulent night for the major established parties.

Half of teenagers uncertain about voting, Children's Commissioner warns

Reform UK ousts Derbyshire deputy council leader in secret ballot

North Yorkshire Tory leadership vote abandoned after chaotic meeting

85,000 homelessness cases linked to relationship breakdown

Printing fault sees council distribute ballots by hand

West Midlands Mayor threatened while canvassing in Coventry

High Court ruling worth 'millions' to councils

Councillor found in breach of code of conduct over disrespectful comments

Politics and Policy

Non-tenants gain right to complain about council housing

North Yorkshire Council urged to reject fracking application

Government confirms seven locations for new towns

Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority formerly established

Human Resources

Reform UK expels three candidates after BNP links uncovered

Unison proposes adult social care pension scheme

Council workers offered 3.3% pay rise

Capacity warning to Cornwall over strategic authority move

Finance

Soaring fuel bills pile pressure on already-stretched council budgets

Ministers still unconvinced by Tees Valley's Best Value

Businessman admits pocketing millions from Thurrock Council

Kent CC sells Gormley sculptures back to artist amid financial pressures

Transformation

Fresh request for remote council meeting legislation

English council data breaches up 53%

Electoral Commission launches deepfake detection pilot ahead of May elections

Thurrock’s EV chargepoint access to soar following new contract

Health and Social Care

Call for social care to be treated as 'national infrastructure'

Experts raise concerns over children's services deadline

Prevention 'insufficiently embedded' in social care, says COSLA

Social work funding must match nursing and teaching, says LGA

Public Property

Council decides on Kendal County Hall’s future

Barking housing scheme could provide ‘blueprint for brownfield development’

Manchester CC unites with pension fund to boost housebuilding

John Lewis no longer to deliver Build to Rent housing

Analysis

Local Elections: What voters really want from their councils

With voters heading to the polls tomorrow, a recent YouGov survey reveals what local issues matter most — and the answers are not always what you might expect.

Opinion

Designing for cohesion

Tom Fairey, Development Director at Alliance Leisure, discusses how community spaces can strengthen local connections.

Most Popular News

All change: Reform UK projected to make huge gains as local elections get underway

WWII bomb discovered on Plymouth building site

Reform-led Lancs council to pull out of refugee resettlement scheme

Mayor steps into chief executive row with Reform UK councillors

ICO issues guidance on AI-generated FOI requests

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Company Anouncements

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Vent-Axia Welcomes Healthy Homes Standard

Social Worker (Family Worker, Link Role) - Family Solutions

£38487 - £51834 per annum

Interviews will be held in person at Greenstead Youth Centre, Colchester on Monday 8th June 2026.We have an exciting opportunity to join our high-per England, Essex, Colchester

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Tendring Neighbourhood Team

£38487 - £51834 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working

This advert is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Worker's (NQSW). The starting salary for a NQSW is £36,124 per annum, rising to £38,487 England, Essex, Clacton-On-Sea

Recuriter: Essex County Council