Seven by-elections this week with eight seats up for grabs. Four of the vacancies came about due to the resignation of independent councillors. Labour gained one of these in Cardiff, while the Tories almost had a clean sweep in North Kesteven. Three Lincolnshire independents resigned simultaneously, including two in Metheringham where there was drama in the battle for the second seat. The Conservatives took first place, but tied for second with an independent. Lots were drawn and the independent won, robbing the Tories of a clean sweep.
Elsewhere, Plaid held a seat they had previously won unopposed and the Greens held in Thanet. Labour held in Lancaster, which is no great surprise as this ward included the university. The Conservatives held in Melton, Leicestershire, despite the nature of the vacancy. The incumbent Tory had been struck off after having failed to attend a single council meeting.
There is little evidence from these results to suggest the Tories are taking a hit from the ongoing sleaze row.
Heath, Cardiff City Council
Lab: 1,729 (47.1%) +16.1%
Con: 1,128 (30.8%) +2.5%
LDem: 561 (15.3%) +11.5%
Plaid: 250 (6.8%) +0.5%
Lab GAIN from Ind
Llandrillo, Denbighshire County Council
Plaid: 179 (44.0%)
Ind: 140 (34.4%)
Con: 80 (21.6%)
Plaid HOLD (previously elected unopposed)
University & Scotforth Rural, Lancaster City Council
Lab: 216 (46.1%) +5.0%
Grn: 193 (41.2%) +11.0%
Con: 44 (9.4%) -7.2%
LDem: 16 (3.4%) -8.8%
Lab HOLD
Melton Dorian, Melton Borough Council
Con: 362 (56.0%) +3.9%
Lab: 284 (44.0%) New
Con HOLD
Metheringham, North Kesteven District Council
(two seats)
Con: 424 (23.7%)
Ind: 404 (22.6%)
Con: 404 (22.6%)
Ind: 369 (20.6%)
Lab: 85 (4.7%)
Lab: 69 (3.8%)
LDem: 29 (1.6%)
Con GAIN from Ind (one seat)
Ind HOLD (one seat after lots drawn)
Sleaford Castle, North Kesteven District Council
Con: 135 (42.2%) +10.2%
Lab: 93 (29.1%) -2.9%
Ind: 49 (15.3%) New
Ind: 22 (6.9%) New
LDem: 21 (6.6%) New
Con GAIN from Ind
Thanet Villages, Thanet District Council
Grn: 638 (60.0%) +36.8%
Con: 358 (33.7%) +8.9%
LDem: 67 (6.3%) -15.7%
Grn HOLD
Abbreviations
Lab = Labour
Con = Conservative
LDem = Liberal Democrat
Plaid = Plaid Cymru
Grn = Green
Ind = Independents