As it happened – York council election 2023

Here’s the incoming leader of City of York Council’s victory speech in full.

Cllr Claire Douglas, Labour Group leader, said: “We can’t wait to get started!”

Labour have made it over the line. The Holgate ward hold – all three seats – takes them to 24 which is an overall majority.

The final result:

So it all comes down to this.

With one ward, Holgate, left to declare, Labour have 21 seats, the Lib Dems 19, the Conservatives three and one independent.

Labour won all three Holgate seats in 2019 and it’s a bit of a stronghold so we’re expecting them to retake all three.

That would give them 24 seats – and a majority of one.

Another comfortable hold for the Liberal Democrats as they re-take all three Rawcliffe and Clifton Without seats.

Darryl Smalley (2,099 votes), Derek Wann (1,918 votes) and Sam Waudby (1,910 votes) retain their places on City of York Council for another four years.

York Green Party leader Andy D’Agorne was until this election deputy leader of City of York Council.

Today he lost his seat and the Green Party was wiped out – all three Greens lost out.

They were the junior partner in the ruling coalition with the Lib Dems.

Andy had been a councillor working for York for 20 years. Here, he reflects on the Blue Badge row, the national factors that affected voting, and what he saw as negative campaigning both in York and nationally by Labour.

Labour edge ever closer to victory with a double hold in Clifton.

Danny Myers (1,371 votes) and Margaret Wells (1,221 votes) return to the council.

The Labour leader Claire Douglas – who is surely now the next leader of City of York Council – has been reelected to her Heworth seat.

Heworth was a Labour hold, with all three seats going to Labour:

Ben Burton (1,890 votes), Claire Douglas (2,149 votes) and Bob Webb (1,867 votes) were the winners.

Ben comes in place of previous Labour Heworth councillor Anna Perrett.

The Liberal Democrats have held both Rural West York seats.

Anne Hook retained her seat and Emilie Knight took the seat previously held by Lib Dem James Barker.

There was a hope among the Lib Dems that they might sneak a Hull Road seat, but in the end all three were held by Labour.

Sophie Kelly (1,316 votes), Anna Baxter (1,289 votes) and Michael Pavlovic (1,228 votes) took the seats.

The first two of those are new to the ward, which Michael retains his place on the council.

Another shock result here at York Racecourse.

Paul Doughty, the leader of the York Conservatives, has lost his seat in Strensall.

He is the second party leader to go, after the Greens’ Andy D’Agorne.

Paul Healey has gained it for the Lib Dems, while Tony Fisher has been reelected to the seat.

So a Lib Dem gain, a Conservative loss and a Lib Dem hold.

No change in Osbaldwick and Derwent. Conservative Martin Rowley and Independent Mark Warters have both been reelected.

Cllr Rowley was there for the declaration, but no sign of Cllr Warters.

We are over half way there in terms of seats – 24 out of 47. Here’s how things stand.

The Conservatives have taken Bishopthorpe.

Popular and long-serving independent John Galvin stood down at this election, and Michael Nicholls took the seat for the Conservatives.

Full result to follow.

Some good news for the Lib Dems, who were in power with the Greens until this election.

They have had a trio of strong holds in Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Stephen Fenton (2,233 votes), Ashley Mason (1,955 votes) and Paula Widdowson (2,026 votes) are all returned again.

Labour has taken all three seats in Micklegate.

It means another loss for the Greens who held one of the seats in 2019.

Deputy Labour leader Pete Kilbane and Jonny Crawshaw hold their seats. The Labour newcomer is Jane Burton.

Rosie Baker won a Micklegate seat for the Greens at the last election. She didn’t stand this time round.

It means all the Greens who held the balance of power in the last administration have gone.

Full results to follow.

The day gets better for Labour.

They have taken all three Guildhall seats, up from two at the last election.

Green Party member Denise Craghill, who was executive member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods in the last administration is out.

Former Labour leader Dave Merrett makes a comeback, while Rachel Melly takes the other seat.

Full results to follow.

Two more gains for Labour in the Westfield Ward.

All three seats were previously held by the Liberal Democrats. But Jo Coles and Emily Nelson have taken two for Labour.

Lib Dem veteran and former executive member of the council Andrew Waller hung on to his seat.

Full results to follow.

Another big result for Labour as they take Fulford and Heslington Ward from the Lib Dems.

This was is the ward of outgoing City of York Council leader and former Lib Dem Group leader Keith Aspden.

Kate Ravilious has taken the seat for Labour.

Full results to follow.

A shock result for Fishergate – the Green Party leader Andy D’Agorne is out.

It was a clean sweep for Labour, with Conrad Whitcroft and Sarah Wilson voted in.

Results to follow.

The first ward count is complete.

Copmanthorpe is done and the candidates have been called to the table ahead of the declaration.

We now have a figure of the provisional turnout for the City of York Council elections 2023.

The unconfirmed turnout is 37.8%.

It is a very low figure, and suggests widespread apathy or discontent with the democratic process in York.

The campaigning is over. The voting is over. All is left is the count.

And that has started within the last hour.

Good morning from York Racecourse as we begin our live coverage of the City of York Council election count 2023.

This time, the count has moved from its old home at the Energise sports centre in Acomb and is in the Knavesmire Stand of York Racecourse.

The count is on the ground floor while the press are gathered on a mezzanine level above.

If you’re looking for a guide to the full counting process, check our post here:

---

---

In the meantime, stick with us as we bring you all the key updates and the results as they happen.