Live blog: All the news and reaction from West Berkshire’s local election count as it happens
The votes have been cast and later on today (Friday), the results of the local elections will be announced.
Seats are up for grabs on both West Berkshire Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and newburytoday will be bringing you all the results and reaction throughout the day.
Reporters Hinna Aamani, Cameron Blackshaw, Niki Hinman and Sarah Bosley and photographer Phil Cannings, are live at the count to bring you all the news as it happens.
Turnout in both town and district councils has just been declared at 38 per cent.
Follow our live blog throughout the day.
7.40pm: The results in the final ward in the Newbury Town Council elections are in – after a recount.
The Liberal Democrats have 21 seats and the Greens have two.
7.10pm
The results for Newbury Town Council are coming in and the Liberal Democrats have currently won 14 seats.
The Green Party have two seats.
7pm
Just the two town councils left to go now and the Liberal Democrats have taken complete control of Thatcham.
The 18 seats are now all held by Lib Dems.
6.35pm
The last result is in and it’s another Liberal Democrat gain.
They have taken Bucklebury to finish the day on 29 seats – their biggest ever victory on West Berkshire Council.
Chris Read was elected, with a huge turnout of 52.67%.
Bucklebury results:
Graham Andrew Loader- Green Party - 164
Chris Read- Liberal Democrats - 828 GAIN
Georgina Lilias Cheyne Woods- Conservative Party - 525
6.30pm
Just one more ward to go in the district council with Bucklebury the only one left to declare.
6.05pm
More good news for the Lib Dems as they take two of the three seats in Hungerford & Kintbury.
Dennis Benneyworth retains his seat for the Conservatives, while his former colleagues James Cole and Claire Rowles chose not to stand this time.
Their seats were won by Lib Dems Denise Gaines and Tony Vickers.
42.11%.
Hungerford & Kintbury
Dennis Charles Benneyworth- Conservative Party - 1,572 HOLD
Denise Anne Gaines- Liberal Democrats – GAIN
Ben Podger- Conservative Party - 1,356
Julian Mark Swift-Hook - Liberal Democrats -
Peter David Tompkins- Conservative Party -
Tony Vickers- Liberal Democrats - 1,704 — GAIN
Trish Whitham- Green Party - 829
6pm
The first of the Thatcham Town Council results are in.
The Liberal Democrats were elected to the five seats within Thatcham North East.
The councillors are Michael De Courcy-Cole, Jeremy Cottam, Lee Dillon, Christine Rice and Benjamin Schiffer-Harte.
Thatcham Town Council: Thatcham (North East) results:
Simon Matthew Carr- Conservative Party - 551
Michael Jon De Courcy Cole-Liberal Democrats - 1,100 - retain
Jeremy Richard Cottam-Liberal Democrats - 1,158 - retain
Lee Raymond James Dillon -Liberal Democrats - 1,199 -retain
Dominic John Parry-Conservative Party - 536 - in
Christine Susan Rice-Liberal Democrats - 1,096 - retain
Benjamin Graham Schiffer-Harte-Liberal Democrats - 977 - in
Linda Elizabeth Verner-Conservative Party - 454
5.45pm
The Conservatives retained both seats in Tilehurst South & Holybrook, with Richard Somner and Biyi Oloko elected.
The turnout was 29.24%.
Tilehurst South & Holybrook results:
Liz Bell- Labour Party - 554
Andre Anthony Browne- Liberal Democrats - 261
Charles Spalding Croal- Labour Party - 620
John Berkeley Grout- Liberal Democrats - 203
Biyi Oloko- Conservative Party - 716 HOLD
Richard James Somner- Conservative Party - 827 HOLD
Thatcham West has two Lib Dem councillors, with Jeff Brooks and Justin Pemberton winning the seats.
Turnout was 33.2%.
Thatcham West results:
Sarah Anne Berrington- Labour Party - 121
Jeff Brooks- Liberal Democrats - 1,100 HOLD
Jason Paul Collis- Conservative Party - 439
Nick East- Labour Party - 99
Gary Edward Johnson- UK Independence Party - 89
Elizabeth Jane Parsloe- Green Party - 215
Jonathan Charles Pearson- Conservative Party - 344
Justin Alexander Pemberton- Liberal Democrats - 871 HOLD
5.36pm: The Liberal Democrats have taken control of West Berkshire Council.
The Liberal Democrats have gained another seat in Thatcham Colthrop & Crookham.
Owen Jeffery is the new councillor for the ward, which saw a turnout of 44.47%.
He said he was “very pleased to follow in Steve’s footsteps” and hoped to do the town proud.
Thatcham Colthrop & Crookham results:
Steve Ardagh-Walter-Conservative Party - 339
Owen Edward Jeffery- Liberal Democrats - 794 GAIN
The three seat ward of Newbury Wash Common remains changed with two Liberal Democrats and one Green councillor.
David Marsh, for the Greens, was just 15 votes ahead of a third Lib Dem candidate, Vaughn Miller.
The two Lib Dem councillors are Adrian Abbs and Patrick Clark.
Another strong turnout for this ward, at 46.54%.
Newbury Wash Common results:
Adrian Neil Abbs- Liberal Democrats - 1,712 HOLD
Patrick James Clark- Liberal Democrats - 1,774 HOLD
James Jeffrey Leighton Davies- Conservative Party - 686
Clive Hunt- Conservative Party - 676
Simon James Kirby- Independent - 433
David Ralph Marsh- Green Party - 1,495 HOLD
Vaughan John Miller- Liberal Democrats - 1,480
Andrea Louise Stephenson- Conservative Party - 627
5.25pm: A few more wards have been announced over a hectic last 30 minutes.
The Conservatives have held onto Downlands, with Clive Hooker being re-elected.
He thanked electors for “putting their confidence in me and voting for me for another four years”.
The turnout was 38.91%.
Downlands results:
John Andrew Boyd- Liberal Democrats - 288
Jane Anne Gartshore- Green Party - 146
Clive Hooker- Conservative Party - 644 HOLD
Ian Mckay- Labour Party - 81
Newbury Greenham has three Liberal Democrat councillors after Phil Barnett, Billy Drummond and Erik Pattenden were all re-elected.
The turnout for the ward was 33.78%.
Newbury Greenham results:
James Andrew Anfield-Reform UK -143
Phil Barnett-Liberal Democrats - 1,716 HOLD
Joseph Alvin Clarke-Conservative Party - 713
Billy Drummond- Liberal Democrats - 1,532 HOLD
Sarah James- Conservative Party - 754
Erik Pattenden- Liberal Democrats - 1,483 HOLD
Gary Puffett- Labour Party - 426
Linda Elizabeth Verner- Conservative Party - 725
Michael John Wakelyn-Green- Green Party - 918
5.15pm: The Conservatives retain Bradfield as Ross Mackinnon is re-elected.
Mr Mackinnon said is was a “huge honour and privilege” to represent the people of Bradfield again.
The turnout was 36.28%.
Bradfield results:
Richard William Gordon Bucknall- Liberal Democrats - 357
Ross Mackinnon- Conservative Party - 601 HOLD
Michael William Woodward- Labour Party - 93
5.10pm: Another gain for the Lib Dems sees them with all three seats in Burghfield & Mortimer.
Graham Bridgman from the Conservatives lost his seat but was thanked by the Lib Dems for his service to the ward.
The turnout was 37.9%.
The Lib Dems just need four more seats to gain control of the council.
Burghfield & Mortimer results:
Graham Henry Bridgman- Conservative Party - 1,146
Nick Carter- Liberal Democrats - 1,499 HOLD
Peter John McDonald Gower- Green Party - 434
Dave Kilshaw-Conservative Party - 1,055
Amanda Jane Mackinnon- Conservative Party - 1,032
Geoffrey Brian Mayes- Liberal Democrats - 1,330 HOLD
Vicky Poole- Liberal Democrats - GAIN
Christian James Brook Savill- Labour Party - 306
Sarah Elizabeth Timms -Labour Party. - 450
4.50pm: The former leader of West Berkshire Council Lynne Doherty was “disappointed” but “not surprised” that she lost her seat in Newbury Speen.
The Conservative councillor had been the leader of the council for four years.
She said: “I’m not surprised. I’m disappointed of course because I love representing Newbury Speen, I love representing my community, but I can still do that in other ways.”
Mrs Doherty wasn’t hopeful she would be elected in the Newbury Town Council elections, the results of which will be announced later today.
She added: “We delivered on everything we said we would. We had a manifesto in 2019, and we have delivered so much for the local area. I’m really proud of that and I will always have that to look back on and reflect on.”
“I am disappointed because we lost a lot of good and committed people, but I’m sure the opposition are just as committed and they will try their best. They may have different views and approaches to us, but I’m sure they will do a good job.”
4.30pm: So far the tally of councillors is as follows:
14 Lib Dems
6 Conservatives
1 Green
1 Labour
4.25pm: The Conservatives have held Lambourn.
Howard Woollaston has been re-elected, with a turnout of 33.43% for the ward.
Lambourn results:
Howard Robert Woollaston- Conservative Party - 618
Susan Millington- Green Party - 153
Diana Jean Pattenden - Liberal Democrats - 262
4.20pm: Newbury Speen has seen a big gain for the Liberal Democrats.
The leader of West Berkshire Council, Lynne Doherty, has lost her seat, along with the Green Party’s Steve Masters.
They were beaten by Liberal Democrats Martha Vickers and Antony Amirtharaj.
The turnout was 43.01%.
Newbury Speen results:
Antony Madalairaj Amirtharaj- Liberal Democrats - 1062 GAIN
Lynne Doherty- Conservative Party - 791
David Andrew Dudman- Conservative Party - 748
Jose Miguel Vieira Ferreira- Reform UK - 79
Steve Masters- Green Party - 831
Martha Vickers- Liberal Democrats - GAIN
4.15pm:
Newbury Central has two Liberal Democrat councillors.
Martin Colston and Louise Sturgess were both elected.
Newbury Central results:
Martin Eric Colston- Liberal Democrats - 1,358
Sean Doherty- Conservative Party- 650
JC Jardim -Conservative Party - 619
Bobby Pop- Green Party - 399
Louise Elizabeth Sturgess- Liberal Democrats - 1,316
4.12pm: The results are coming thick and fast now.
There’s another Lib Dem gain in the three seat ward of Tilehurst and Purley.
The Conservatives hold two of the seats with Paul Kander and Jane Langford elected.
Liberal Democrat Janine Lewis was also elected.
The turnout was 34.42%.
Tilehurst & Purley results:
Simon Billows - Liberal Democrats - 1,133
Paul Christopher Stephen Kander- Conservative Party - 1,183 HOLD
Jane Monica Langford-Conservative Party - 1,191 HOLD
Janine Lewis- Liberal Democrats - 1,195 GAIN
Thomas Joseph Marino- Conservative Party - 1,097
Gary Arthur Norman- Liberal Democrats - 633
Jacqueline Paynter- Green Party -545
James Christopher Warren- Labour Party - 599
4pm: The Liberal Democrats hold the two seats in Thatcham North East.
Jeremy Cottam and leader Lee Dillon were both re-elected.
3.55pm: “A good day for the Liberal Democrats” – that’s how re-elected Jeff Brooks declared the day in his acceptance speech.
Mr Brooks, who has been a councillor for 30 years, was elected in the Thatcham West ward, along with fellow Lib Dem Justin Pemberton.
Mr Pemberton is a new candidate after Keith Woodhams – also a Lib Dem – stood down.
The turnout was 32.44%.
3.50pm: Lib Dems have taken two more seats off the Conservatives.
Newbury Clay Hill has been won by Nigel Foot and Stuart Gourley.
The previous incumbents, Jeff Beck and Jeff Cant, did not stand and both new councillors paid tribute to Mr Beck in their acceptance speeches.
The turnout was 33.9%.
Newbury Clay Hill result:
Richard John Almond-Conservative Party - 432
Jeanette Clifford- Conservative Party - 422
Nigel Peter Foot-Liberal Democrats - 1077 GAIN
John Peter Gotelee-Independent - 263
Stuart William Gourley-Liberal Democrats - 1131 GAIN
David John McMahon-Heritage Party - 86
Karen Margaret Swaffield-Green Party - 242
3.40pm: The Lib Dems have made another gain in North Hampshire, this time in Tadley & Pamber.
Androulla Johnstone has won the seat with 1,217 votes, with one hundred more votes than the incumbent Tory councillor Kerri Carruthers.
Tadley & Pamber results:
Kerri Elizabeth Carruthers – Conservative – 1,117
Androulla Elizabeth Christina Johnstone – Liberal Democrats – 1,217 GAIN
Richard Musson – Green – 187
Stephen David Rothman – Labour – 217
Duncan Philip Stone – Hampshire Independents – 76
3.35pm: Tilehurst Birch Copse has just been announced and Labour has just gained its first seat on West Berkshire Council. By just one vote.
It’s a two ward seat and was held by two Conservatives.
Jo Stewart – from the Tories – was re-elected and now works with Labour’s Clive Taylor.
3.20pm: The Lib Dems have gained another seat, but this time in North Hampshire.
Mike Bound has been elected councillor for Tadley North, Kingsclere & Baughurst, having accrewed 1,410 votes.
He beat the incumbent Tory councillor Stuart Frost, who had 1,124 votes.
Tadley North, Kingsclere & Baughurst results:
Mike Bound – Liberal Democrats – 1,410 GAIN
Stuart Michael Frost – Conservative – 1,124
Robert John Holliday – Hampshire Independents – 104
Matt Russell – Labour – 350
3.10pm: Apparently there’s now a recount of Tilehurst Birch Copse. It must be close.
3pm: Tilehurst Birch Copse is about to be declared.
2.55pm: Bit of a break in the declarations and Costa has suddenly got very busy behind us.
2.50pm: The Lib Dems take another seat from the Tories, as Laura Coyle claims Basildon.
The turnout was 45.3%.
Basildon results:
Laura Rose Coyle- Liberal Democrats - 727 GAIN
Hazel Elizabeth Preston-Barnes- Conservative Party - 513
2.45pm: The Conservatives hold the Downlands ward, as Clive Hooker is re-elected.
The turnout was 38.91%.
Basildon is about to be called now.
Downlands results:
John Andrew Boyd- Liberal Democrats - 288
Jane Anne Gartshore- Green Party - 146
Clive Hooker- Conservative Party - 644 HOLD
Ian Mckay- Labour Party - 81
2.25pm: The Green Party hold Ridgeway, as Carolyne Culver is re-elected.
Another great turnout in that ward, of 45.11%.
Each of the winning candidates has been greeted by huge cheers from their party.
Ridgeway results:
Carolyne Lindsey Culver- Green Party - 952 HOLD
Edward Richard Iliffe- Conservative Party -345
Pam Lusby Taylor- Liberal Democrats - 87
2.18pm: In Pangbourne Liberal Democrat Matthew Shakespeare has been elected, taking the seat from the Conservatives.
The turnout was 45.93%.
That’s three wards out of 43 declared.
Pangbourne results:
Mark Johnathan Farrington- Labour Party -94
Tim Hall-Green Party - 61
Michael Raymond Male- Conservative Party - 444
Matthew James Shakespeare-Liberal Democrats - 678 GAIN
2.15pm: The Conservatives hold the next seat declared by Nigel Lynn, the returning officer for West Berkshire.
Dominic Boeck is elected for Aldermaston for a third time.
Pangbourne is about to be announced now.
Aldermaston
Dominic Kevin Boeck-Conservative Party - 562 HOLD
Zdena Burne- Liberal Democrats - 333
Phillipa Marie Heath-Labour Party - 128
Matthew Thomas James Lowe - Green Party - 80
2.10pm: Alan Macro is re-elected as the Theale councillor as the Lib Dems hold the first seat declared.
In this ward three papers were rejected and the turnout was 35.99%.
The Aldermaston candidates have now been called
Theale results:
Suzie Ferguson-Labour Party - 94
Alan Michael Macro-Liberal Democrats - 585 HOLD
Thomas Alexander Parkhill-Conservative Party - 148
2.08pm: The candidates for Theale have just been called to the stage.
1.45pm – Mr Izett, who is currently the deputy leader of Basingstoke and Deane, won the seat with a large majority, gaining 1,516 votes. In second place was the Liberal Democrat candidate Pauleen Malone, who receieved 647 votes. None of the remaining candidates receieved more than 300 votes. Evingar, which has an electorate of 7,358, had a voting turn out of 38.9 per cent.
1.40pm – There are three seats within North Hampshire that are up for election in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council elections. John Izett, a Conservative councillor within the Evingar ward, has been re-elected.
1.15pm – The count begins
