Labour retains control of Rotherham

Labour members celebrated retaining control in Rotherham

Labour has retained overall control of Rotherham Council winning 33 seats - a gain of two seats.

The Conservatives lost three seats leaving them 13 members on the authority.

Independent candidates won 10 seats while the Liberal Democrats lost one leaving them with three councillors.

The council's Labour leader Chris Reed said he knew it would be a "tough election" and he was "really pleased for the team".

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Swinton Rockingham was the first seat to be announced with two Labour councillors, including Mr Reed, holding their seats.

Labour made gains across the borough including in Hoober, Maltby East, Rother Vale and Bramley amongst others, but did lose seats in Wales, Boston Castle and Keppel.

Mr Reed said: "We knew it would be a tough election for us, the Conservatives have thrown huge money into Rother Valley.

"It was never going to be easy and I am really pleased for the team."

In 2021 the Conservative party made significant gains going from zero seats to 20 in total.

That was reduced to 15 seats after further by elections in the last three years.

They did have some successes though, making gains from Labour in Hellaby and Maltby West and Anston and Woodsetts.

Independent candidates gained seats in Sitwell, Dalton and Thrybergh and Boston Castle.

Newly-elected Independent councillor Jodie Ryalls had never voted before

They included 37-year-old Jodie Ryalls, who stood as an Independent councillor in Dalton and Thrybergh despite having never voted before.

She said she could not "believe it".

"I'm just a girl from the estate. I wanted to make changes that needed to be made."