Elections

England council results

Number of councillors

23 of 23 councils

See full results

Summary

Watch: BBC's Henry Zeffman on what comes after Reform's by-election win

Live Reporting

Edited by Adam Durbin, with reporters at counts across England

  1. Oxfordshire pooches eager to join owners at the polling station

    Galya Dimitrova
    BBC News

    A grey Miniature schnauzer rests its upper paws on a low stone wall next to a sign reading Polling Station

    Miniature schnauzer Colin would vote himself if he could

    Oxfordshire dogs are proving keen to join their owners at the polling stations for the local elections today.

    Furry friends of all breeds and ages have been up since before 07:00 when stations across the county opened, basking in the sun or waiting impatiently while humans cast their votes.

    While Ruby the Cocker Spaniel is a seasoned poll station companion, it was a first for 12-week-old standard Poodle Jude, who diligently posed for a snap outside.

    All 69 seats on Oxfordshire County Council are up for election and various district council by-elections across the county are also taking place.

    A black and white Cocker Spaniel sits in front of a wall with a sign reading Polling Station taped to it

    Cocker Spaniel Ruby is a familiar face at her local polling station

  2. How does the BBC report polling day?

    Detailed BBC election guidelines are written and published for each election, setting out the approach it has to take on polling day.

    The BBC, like other broadcasters, is not allowed to report details of campaigning or local election issues on TV, radio or online on polling day until 22:00 BST, when voting closes.

    While polls are open, it is a criminal offence to report any exit polls, which aim to predict election results on the basis of surveys of how people say they have voted.

    References to the local elections on the day are normally restricted to uncontroversial factual accounts, such as the appearance of politicians at polling stations, the weather, or practical information about how to vote.

    Once the polls have closed at 22:00, the election guidelines no longer apply.

    However, the BBC must still report the results with the impartiality required both by Ofcom and the BBC's own Editorial Guidelines.

  3. One hour until polls close

    As we reach 21:00 BST, there's now just one hour left until polls close in today's local elections.

    If you're planning a last-minute dash to your polling station, as long as you're in the queue by 22:00 BST tonight, you'll be able to cast your vote.

  4. Who's getting elected today, in 127 words

    Voters in some parts of England have only a short time left to elect hundreds of local councillors, as well as six mayors and an MP.

    Elections are taking place in 23 councils across England, namely:

    • 14 county councils: Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire
    • 8 unitary authorities: Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, County Durham, North Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, West Northamptonshire and Wiltshire
    • 1 metropolitan district: Doncaster

    Six mayoral elections are also happening: in the West of England, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, North Tyneside, Doncaster and – for the first time – in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire.

    In addition to this, Runcorn and Helsby voters are selecting their new MP while council elections are taking place in the Isles of Scilly.

  5. In pictures: More pups at polling stations

    Throughout the day, we've been bringing you snaps of dogs from across England doing their civic duty and joining their owners on a trip to their local polling station.

    Here we have another round of pictures you've been sending us while out casting your votes:

    A black Cavapoo dog on a leash waits outside a polling station, a wooden board next to him on which there's a sign reading polling stationPip Wolfenden

    Seven-year-old Cavapoo Monty waited patiently outside the polling station and was rewarded with a treat from one of the polling clerks at Matlock All Saints in Derbyshire

    Cocker Spanier with light brown head and white snout with brown spots looks at the camera while sitting in front of the white external wall of a buildingSophie Salvidge-Coombe

    This is Barney the Cocker Spaniel who voted this morning in Amersham, Buckinghamshire

    Two dogs, one white with brown spots (L) and one white (R) on a leash outside a polling stationSarah Kettlewell

    Bean and Obie waited patiently outside the polling station in Swarland, Northumberland this morning

    A brown dog with curly fur holds a blue ball in its mouth while sitting in the grass outside a polling station, a wood building with thin windows behind itJack Valpy / BBC

    Some of the dogs made sure to bring a toy to entertain themselves while their owners voted

  6. How can I catch up with the results tomorrow morning?

    Composite graphic of a woman (in black and white) sitting on a couch holding a tablet and remote control with a deep purple background and a triangle in varying shades of purple, pink and green

    If you're not staying up through the night to track the results as they come in then don't worry, the BBC has got you covered.

    Tomorrow morning BBC Breakfast will be bringing you comprehensive results and reaction - that's from 06:00 BST on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.

    Also from 06:00 BST, the Today programme will be covering the latest election news with results and interviews - that's on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

    You can also expect a special episode of Newscast at 07:00 BST, which will be streamed live on BBC Sounds.

    And, as always, we'll be here to keep you up-to-date in this live page.

  7. When will we know the results?

    Over at local elections coverage HQ, we have a vague idea of when some of the results will start coming in:

    Between 02:00 BST and 07:30 BST:

    • Runcorn and Helsby by-election
    • North Tyneside, Doncaster, West of England, and Greater Lincolnshire mayoral races
    • Northumberland council

    Between 07:30 BST and 15:00 BST:

    • Hull & East Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough mayoral races

    Between 15:00 and 19:00 BST:

    • The 22 remaining council results

  8. A purr-fect outing

    A black cat sits on a mat next to a white polling station signJulz Franz

    In case you were thinking that visits to polling stations were a dog-only affair, think again.

    Support cat Bogbrush has been pictured enjoying the sunshine after making the trip alongside her owner Julz Franz.

    Julz tells the BBC that Bogbrush was even allowed inside the polling station, in Crowle, Lincolnshire.

  9. What you can and cannot do in a polling booth

    Two grey and black camping chairs placed at the entrance of an old building (seemingly a church) with a sign reading polling station held up between two traffic cones, some low houses in the background

    With only a few hours left to cast your ballot, here's a quick reminder of the dos and don'ts when inside a polling station:

    • You can only vote at your local polling station, so it's important you find out where you need to go - this might not be the same as in previous elections
    • Polling stations are open until 22:00 - you can vote after that as long as you were already in the queue
    • Taking photos inside a polling station isn't permitted - but you can take photos outside
    • Animals, apart from assistance dogs, aren't usually allowed in polling stations
    • Bringing children to the polling station is encouraged but they are not allowed to mark your vote on the ballot paper

    You can also check out our full guide for a more comprehensive list of rules.

  10. Voters head to polls on warmest start to May on record

    Sun shines in the sky over field. There's a gate in the foreground which has white sign with the words "Polling Station" in blackJack Valpy/BBC

    Polling day in England comes on a record-breaking day for temperature in parts of the country.

    Earlier today the Met Office confirmed that it's the warmest start to May on record, with a temperature of 29.1C recorded in Surrey.

  11. The gift that keeps on giving: More dogs at polling stations

    The balmy weather hasn't deterred the pets below from trotting along with their owners to various polling stations in England.

    Make sure to keep the photos coming - here's where you can reach us.

    Willow looks up at the camera in the sunshine, a metal gate behindAndrew Bennett

    Willow the Bernadoodle squints up at the sunshine in Thornberry

    Jimmy stands on the grass in front of a sign reading 'Polling Station'Scott Hawkins

    Jimmy the Whippet looks like he knows exactly which way to go - he must have done this before

    Dixie looks at the camera with her tongue out, the tip of a 'Polling Station' sign can be seen aboveJoe

    Dixie the Sprocker found it a bit hot in Buckinghamshire today - she's taking a well needed rest while being papped by owner Joe

    Three dogs standing in the sun, two of them are on leashesChristine Smy

    Lurchers Luna and Boo, and Cockerpoo Crunchie were spotted outside the polling station at The Crown pub in Bathley, Nottinghamshire, and were secretly hoping for some dog treats to be on offer

    Black and white cockapoo sits down next to brick wall with Polling Station sign in the backgroundJoseph Abram

    Ten-year-old Cockerpoo Maggie had a well-deserved rest at this polling station in Penwortham, Lancashire

  12. Five hours to go before polls close

    A man (L) with long white and grey hair walks hand in hand with a woman (R) with long brown hair towards a polling station hosted inside a red-bricked building with white windowsGetty Images

    It's just gone 17:00 BST - meaning there's now just five hours left until polls close in parts of England.

    More than 1,600 seats across 23 local councils are up for grabs in today's elections, alongside six directly-elected mayors.

    Voters have also been heading to the polls to choose their new MP in Runcorn and Helsby - a full list of the candidates running for the seat can be found here.

    The BBC will be with you throughout election night - stick with us for the latest.

  13. What's up for grabs...in less than 150 words

    As we've been reporting, not every one will be heading to the polls today as local elections are taking place in parts of England only, including in:

    Fourteen county councils. These exist in areas where there is a two-tier system of governance, with responsibilities split between county and district councils.

    Eight unitary authorities. A single body that handles all local services within its area, rather than splitting them up.

    One metropolitan district. A type of unitary authority, with responsibility for all local services.

    Also happening:

    Six mayoral elections. Including for single authority mayors (the political leaders of councils) and metro mayors (regional leaders who chair combined authorities).

    One parliamentary by-election. Voters in Runcorn and Helsby will choose a new MP to represent them in the House of Commons. In addition, council elections are taking place in the Isles of Scilly.

    Map of England with areas where local elections are being held highlighted in purple

  14. A theatre, a farm shop, and a caravan - where you've been voting

    Polling stations have popped up in parts of England today, with voters heading to the polls to choose who they want to be their local councillor or mayor - or even their MP, as is the case in the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby.

    Here's some of the quirkier places you've been casting your vote:

    Tall church-like building seen in the background. A black ornate gate to the side has a white sign attached to it by string, reading: "Polling Station"BBC/Jack Valpy

    This theatre, housed in a converted former church, is operating as a polling station in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

    Woman using a walking aid stands in front of a shelf filled with plants. A sign reading "Polling Station" sits propped up against itEPA

    In Ormskirk, Lancashire, voters have been casting their votes at a farm shop

    Bright blue coloured pub building with large sign for Larkin's Bar outside. A number of signs can be seen outside reading: "Polling Station"BBC/Jonathon Read

    Meanwhile a section of this pub in Hull is where voters have been casting their ballot

    A man attaches a sign to the awning on his caravan. The white caravan has a sign reading "Polling Station" on itPA Media

    And it's not just businesses opening their doors today. This caravan in Cambridge - which we told you about earlier - has been welcoming voters too

  16. Still time to apply for an emergency proxy

    A woman (L) in black jacket, jeans and white trainers walks through a parking lot headed for a red-bricked building. In the foreground is a white sign reading Polling StationGetty Images

    In case you're unable to vote in person today as planned, or if unforeseen circumstances mean you're no longer able to head to the polls, then there is still time to apply for an emergency proxy vote.

    That's where you nominate someone else - your proxy - to cast your vote on your behalf.

    But the deadline to do that runs out in just a few hours time, at 17:00 BST.

    To apply, you'll need to contact your local council's electoral services team. Both you and your proxy must already be registered to vote.

  17. Do I have to give my details to 'tellers' outside the polling station?

    Sometimes so-called "tellers" stand outside the polling station and ask voters for the number on their polling card.

    They are volunteers who work for candidates and they use the information to check who has voted, so they can remind people who haven't yet done so.

    They are allowed to ask for your polling card number, but you don't have to give it to them - and tellers aren't allowed to press you if you decline.

    We have more details on some of the common questions around polling stations in our explainer.

  18. Keys, money, phone…ID

    Two women in shirts and trousers, one with a blue cardigan (L) approach a red-bricked building serving as a polling station, a sign marking its designation affixed to a wooden electricity pole to the rightReuters

    Remember: you must show photo ID in order to vote in person. There are more than 20 acceptable forms of ID, including passports, driving licences and - from 1 May - Armed Forces Veteran Cards.

    You can use out-of-date ID as long as you are still recognisable.

    Anyone who is already registered to vote but doesn't have the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can use a free document known as a voter authority certificate.

    The deadline to apply for a certificate to use in the May elections has passed.

  19. Why are there no elections in my area?

    Elections for all of the England’s 317 local authorities don’t happen at the same time. Local governments either:

    • Elect all councillors every four years
    • Elect half the local councillors every two years
    • Elect one third of the local councillors every year for three years and hold no elections in the fourth year

    This year, elections will be held for 23 councils and six mayors. More than 1,600 councillors will be elected.

  20. Plenty more pups to come

    We're continuing to enjoy the pictures of your pets smiling as they accompany you to the polls.

    For two of the dogs below, it's their first time at a local election polling station. The other thought he was going to a cake sale - we'll let you work out who is who.

    Lola looks to the side of the camera - stands against a wallNick White

    It's Lola's first local election experience in Hertfordshire today, her owner Nick tells us

    Meatball smiles and looks up at the camera - part of a 'Polling Station' sign can be seen behind himGail Eva

    At six-months-old, Meatball is also accompanying his owner to a polling station for the first time

    A dog stands squinting slightly in front of a polling station signDavid Majarich

    David Majarich's Sprocker (Springer/Cocker), Gib, thinks he's there for the monthly cake pop-up sale. "He is not impressed," David tells us.