2026 North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council election

2026 North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council election

7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)

20 out of 60 seats to North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council
31 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Karen Clark John Johnsson[1]
Party Labour Conservative
Last election 51 seats, 58.0% 8 seats, 18.1%
Current seats 50[2] 8

 
Party Independent Reform UK
Last election 1 seat, 5.7% 0 seats, 2.0%
Current seats 1 1

Incumbent Mayor

Karen Clark
Labour



The 2026 North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council election will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026, alongside other local elections in the United Kingdom. One third of the 60 members of North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council in Tyne and Wear will be elected.

Council composition

After 2024 election Before 2026 election
Party Seats Party Seats
Labour 51 Labour 50
Conservative 8 Conservative 8
Reform UK 0 Reform UK 1
Independent 1 Independent 1

Changes 2024–2026:

  • May 2025:
    • Karen Clark (Labour) elected as Mayor, thus leaving her council seat vacant – by-election held July 2025[3]
    • Pat Oliver (Labour) resigns – by-election held July 2025[3]
  • July 2025:
    • Brian Smith (Reform) gains by-election from Labour[4]
    • Bryan Macdonald (Labour) wins by-election[5]

Background

North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council was created in 1974. Labour saw early success, controlling the council (apart from a brief period of no overall control 1986 to 1987) from its creation until 2004, when the council fell into no overall control.[6] That election also saw the Conservatives become the largest party on the council, which was maintained until 2010.[7] The Conservatives additionally formed the only non-Labour majority administration following the 2008 election. Labour have formed majority administrations since retaking control in 2011, with the Conservatives acting as the principal opposition.

The 2024 election used a new set of ward boundaries - as such, this election will be for the councillors elected with the fewest votes in each of the 30 three-member wards.[8] Labour will be defending 17 seats, the Conservatives will be defending 2, and independents will be defending 1.[9]

Summary

Election result

2026 North Tyneside Borough Council election
Party This election Full council This election
Seats Net Seats % Other Total Total % Votes Votes % +/−
  Labour 33
  Conservative 6
  Independent 0
  Reform UK 1
  Green 0
  Liberal Democrats 0

Incumbents

Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Backworth & Holystone James Webster Labour
Battle Hill Steven Phillips Labour
Camperdown Joan Walker Labour
Chirton & Percy Man Bruce Pickard Labour
Cullercoats & Whitley
Bay South
Andrew Spowart Labour
Forest Hall Joanne Sharp Labour
Howdon Matthew Thirlaway Labour
Killingworth Bryan Clark Labour
Longbenton & Benton Linda Drake Labour
Monkseaton Martin Murphy Labour
New York & Murton Jay Bartoli Conservative
North Shields Frank Lott Labour
Preston with Preston Grange David Lilly Conservative
Shiremoor Kristin Nott Labour
St Mary's Judith Wallace Independent
Tynemouth Julie Day Labour
Wallsend Central Ian Grayson Labour
Wallsend North Tricia Neira Labour
Weetslade Liz McMullen Labour
Whitley Bay North Sandra Graham Labour

References

  1. ^ Holland, Daniel (29 October 2025). "North Tyneside Conservatives name new council opposition leader to replace Liam Bones". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 10 January 2026. Via MSN.
  2. ^ "North Tyneside Council Composition: Latest". opencouncildata.co.uk. Open Council Data UK. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b Shakespeare, Austen (27 May 2025). "By-elections triggered in North Tyneside following Mayoral race". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Killingworth Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk.
  5. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Longbenton and Benton Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  6. ^ "BBC News - Election 2011 - England council elections - North Tyneside". BBC News. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  7. ^ "North Tyneside Council Election Results 1973-2012" (PDF). Elections Centre. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  8. ^ The North Tyneside (Electoral Changes) Order 2024
  9. ^ Shakespeare, Austen; Holland, Daniel (4 May 2024). "North Tyneside local election results 2024 in full". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 10 January 2026.