RECAP: from the Rochdale Elections with updates and reactions

Thousands of people headed to the ballot boxes yesterday for this year's local elections across Rochdale.

 That's it from us for the Rochdale count. From Rochdale Leisure Centre, its goodbye from me (Alfie). and from Heywood, its goodbye from Benny.

RESULT DECLARATION  

Reform UK take another seat from Labour, gaining Spotland and Falinge. Carl Faulkner gains the seat by a margin of just 9 votes (1018). (Labour 2nd - 1009)

RESULT DECLARATION  

Matthew Pilkington is victorious for Reform UK in South Middleton, taking Reform’s total number of seats to 14 on Rochdale Council 

 RESULT DECLARATION  

Another Workers Party GAIN from Labour, this time in Milkstone and Deeplish. Minaam Ellahi received 1560 (Labour 2nd - 1017)

RESULT DECLARATION  

Labour has lost Smallbridge and Firgrove to the Liberal Democrat Candidate, Mohammed Khizer. LIB DEM GAIN from LABOUR - 917 (Reform 2nd - 850)

Reform GAIN Wardle, Shore and West Littleborough from the Conservatives - 1466 (Conservatives 2nd - 1209)

Workers Party GAIN their first seat today in Central Rochdale, taking the seat from Labour - 1944 (Labour 2nd - 1424)

RESULT DECLARATION  

Reform Candidate Lee Wolf wins the North Middleton ward. We have one more ward to declare here at Heywood 

RESULT DECLARATION  

Paul Ellison holds Norden for the Conservatives, winning 1,662 votes. Reform UK’s Kevin Lane finishes second, winning 1,193 votes. A turnout of 48.48%

RESULT DECLARATION  

Reform gain Hopwood Hall from Labour, but they hold on in both East Middleton and Kingsway. Gina Jacques’ victory in East Middleton was greeted by audible cheers from the Labour crowd

These victories also ensure that Labour remain in overall control of Rochdale Council 

RESULT DECLARATION  

Another Reform UK gain, this time in Milnrow and Newhey from the Liberal Democrats. Anthony Gilbert gets on the council, but only just. REFORM GAIN from LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - 1400 (Liberal Democrats 2nd - 1306)

RESULT DECLARATION  

Shakil Ahmed retains in the Kingsway ward, with a huge applause from the Labour crew in the hall. LABOUR KEEP with 1176 (Workers Party 2nd - 820)

RESULT DECLARATION  

Angela Smith holds the ward of Bamford, giving the Tories their first victory in Rochdale today 

RESULT DECLARATION   

Castleton becomes Reform’s latest victory here in Rochdale. Another loss for Labour. Turnout in this ward was 37% 

RESULT DECLARATION   

Reform UK have gained another Healey seat from Labour and have won another councillor in the Balderstone and Kirkholt ward

RESULT DECLARATION  

A great result for Reform UK, gaining three new council seats here at the Rochdale Leisure Centre. Here as follows:

Healey - REFORM GAIN from LABOUR - 1300 (Labour 2nd - 772)

Balderstone & Kirkholt - REFORM GAIN from LABOUR - 1205 (Labour 2nd - 722)

Littleborough Lakeside - REFORM GAIN from LABOUR - 1391 (Labour 2nd - 1170)

RESULT DECLARATION  

Another disappointing result for Labour as Reform gain another council seat in West Heywood

RESULT DECLARATION  

North Heywood becomes Reform’s second seat gained today on Rochdale Council. Michael Howard wins 1,365 votes, gaining the seat from Labour, who received 597 votes yesterday

RESULT DECLARATION  

West Middleton is the first seat to be declared here in Heywood. Reform UK councillor Trevor Taylor was voted in with 936 votes

The turnout has just been given to us.

TURNOUT BY WARD

Balderstone & Kirkholt - 2855 (33%)

Central Rochdale - 4129 (44%)

Healey - 3478 (43%)

Kingsway - 3442 (41%)

Littleborough Lakeside - 3424 (46%)

Milkstone & Deeplish - 3157 (40%)

Milnrow & Newhey - 3587 (42%)

Smallbridge & Firgrove - 3080 (35%)

Spotland & Falinge - 3354 (39%)

Wardle, Shore & West Littleborough - 3670 (44%)

All 20 seats set to be declared in Heywood have now entered the counting stage

The count is still ongoing and we are awaiting the turnout figures. When we have them, we will bring them to you.

Some context behind this election, a third of the seats in Rochdale Borough Council are being contested (a total of 20 seats). 

CONTESTED SEAT COUNT

Labour - 14

Conservative - 3

Middleton Independents - 2

Liberal Democrats - 1

Labour currently hold control of the council, and have done since 2011. They currently have 43 seats in the council

The count here in Rochdale is about to begin. 

Welcome to Roch Valley Radio's coverage of the Rochdale Election counts. Alfie Garner is at the count in Rochdale Leisure Centre and Benny Fiddimore is in Heywood for the count there.