The final results for the East Suffolk Council elections are now in, with all wards having now been declared.
East Suffolk Council chief executive, Chris Bally - the returning officer - signalled that counting was under way about 9.30am this morning as the election count was held at Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft on Friday.
Candidates are standing for election across East Suffolk to fill 55 seats in 29 wards.
With Waveney MP Peter Aldous in attendance, the first ward to be declared at around 11.15am was the Carlton Colville ward in Lowestoft.
The first results was a Conservative hold for the two seats, with a 25.4 per cent turnout.
RESULT: Carlton Colville elected - Craig Rivett (CON), Myles Scrancher (CON), CON HOLD (2). Turnout: 25.4pc.
It means East Suffolk Council deputy Craig Rivett has retained his Carlton Colville seat, along with new councillor and fellow Tory, Myles Scrancher.
Rivett had 787 votes, with Scrancher on 696, but the Lib Dems Adam Robertson was not far behind on 658.
After being re-elected, East Suffolk Council deputy leader Craig Rivett predicted a "difficult day" for the district's Conservatives.
He said national issues had been at the forefront of people's minds during doorstep campaigning and he had to convince residents about the work the Tories had done, including setting up the newly-formed East Suffolk Council following the merger of Suffolk Coastal and Waveney district councils.
He also reflected on the council's role with Sizewell and the development of offshore wind, as well as the work to support people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: "Do I think we are going to buck the national trend? I definitely don't think so. I think it is going to be a difficult day."
The third ward in the East Suffolk elections to be declared - the second for our area - was the Carlton and Whitton and ward.
RESULT: Carlton & Whitton elected - Jenny Ceresa (CON), Jamie Starling (CON), CON HOLD (2). Turnout: 25.4pc.
It means the council's chairman for the 2022/23 municipal year, Jenny Ceresa, has been re-elected after switching from the Carlton Colville ward.
And making it a hold for the two Tory seats, Jamie Starling polled more than 900 votes.
The votes cast were: Jamie Starling 904, Jenny Ceresa 879, Sonia Barker (L - 769), Charlotte Barker (L - 758), Anna Hammond (G - 191), Daniel Keates (G - 143), John Mercer (LD - 135), Dave O'Neill (LD - 90).
Lib Dems' Jules Ewart has taken the Kelsale and Yoxford seat, which used to be held by the Tories' Stephen Burroughes.
RESULT: Jules Ewart (LD - 752), Alexander Nicoll (C - 356), John Clark (L - 274).
The Lib Dems' Jules Ewart said her victory in the Kelsale and Yoxford ward was evidence that the district was "ready for change."
She said that she was on the environmental executive for her party and that politics was now about lifestyle, more then opinions and that had influenced the result.
She said: "I am thrilled and without a doubt, it has been a team effort through the generosity of the team and the party who have been by my side."
In the Aldeburgh and Leiston ward, the Greens have gained two seats from the Conservatives and held an exisiting seat to make it a clean sweep.
RESULT: Aldeburgh & Leiston elected: Tom Daly (G), Katie Graham (G), Sarah Whitelock (G). GREEN GAIN (2) from CON, GREEN HOLD (1). Turnout: 38.6pc.
In Eastern Felixstowe, the Lib Dems have won a couple of seats from the Conservatives - as it appears the Tories' grip on East Suffolk could be coming to an end.
RESULT: Eastern Felixstowe elected: Seamus Bennett (LD), Jan Candy (LD), Mark Jepson (CON). LD GAIN (2) from CON, CON HOLD (1). Turnout: 42.9pc.
The next three wards to be declared were eagerly awaited - and have resulted in significant gains.
After the Greens held the Melton ward, the Bungay and Wainford wards and Halesworth and Blything were declared.
RESULT: Melton elected - Rachel Smith-Lyte (GREEN), GREEN HOLD (1). Turnout: 47.7pc.
RESULT: Bungay & Wainford elected - Toby Hammond (GREEN), Anthony Speca (GREEN), GREEN GAIN (2) from CON, Turnout: 41.5pc.
This means the Greens have captured the seat, which used to be held by the Tories' Judy Cloke, with former council leader Mark Bee - who was standing once more - from the Conservative candidates.
RESULT: Halesworth & Blything elected - Beth Keys-Holloway (GREEN), Geoffrey Wakeling (GREEN), GREEN GAIN (2) from CON. Turnout: 40.2pc.
It means the Greens have captured the seats, which used to be held by the Tories' Alison Cackett and Graham Catchpole.
The victorious Greens in Halesworth and Blything believed the election of the Green Party's Annette Dunning to Suffolk County Council was a turning point that has triggered a swathe of Green councillors being elected to East Suffolk Council.
Newly-elected Geoffrey Wakeling said: "It made people sit up and realise that the Green Party is not a wasted vote and Greens can make a difference."
His fellow newly-elected Green Beth Keys-Holloway added: "The younger generation are very aware of the importance of green spaces and they are using their vote to make a change."
RESULT: Beccles & Worlingham elected - Sarah Plummer (GREEN), Sheryl Rumble (GREEN), Caroline Topping (GREEN), GREEN HOLD (3). Turnout: 35pc.
The full results were: Caroline Topping (G - 2792), Sarah Plummer (G - 2673), Sheryl Rumble (G - 2471), Bernard Reader (C - 806), May Reader (C - 784), Trish Mortimer (C - 851), Sam Hunt (L - 583), Tarek Lahin (L - 531), Tony Burgess (L - 487).
RESULT: Lothingland elected - Paul Ashdown (CON), CON HOLD (1). Turnout: 31.6pc.
The Tories have held Lothingland (one councillor). Paul Ashdown (C - 434), Rosemary Brambley (G - 111), Susan Groome (LD - 59), Thomas Leverett (L - 380).
RESULT: Woodbridge elected - Stephen Molyneux (GREEN), Kay Yule (LD), GREEN GAIN (1) from CON, LD HOLD (1). Turnout: 44.9pc.
RESULT: Wickham Market elected - Sally Noble (GREEN), GREEN GAIN (1) from CON. Turnout: 44.9pc.
RESULT: Wrentham, Wangford and Westleton elected - Paul Ashton (LD), LD GAIN (1) from CON. Turnout: 44.3pc.
RESULT: Saxmundham elected - John Fisher (IND), IND HOLD (1). Turnout: 33.3pc.
RESULT: Kessingland elected - Alan Green (LAB), LAB GAIN (1) from CON. Turnout: 31.2pc.
RESULT: Kirkley & Pakefield elected - Peter Byatt (LAB), Louise Gooch (LAB), Malcolm Pitchers (LAB). LAB HOLD (3). Turnout: 26.2pc.
RESULT: Southwold elected - David Beavan (LD). LD HOLD (1). Turnout: 48.2pc.
David Beavan retained his Southwold seat for the Lib Dems polling 1,122 votes, ahead of Tony Goldson (C - 265), Stephen Stansfield (L - 87), Kevin Cross (I - 76).
RESULT: Kesgrave elected - Stuart Lawson (CON), Geoff Lynch (CON), Debbie McCallum (CON). CON HOLD (3). Turnout: 29.9pc.
RESULT: Rendlesham & Orford elected - Tim Wilson (GREEN), GREEN GAIN (1) from CON. Turnout: 37.9pc.
RESULT: Framlingham elected - Owen Grey (LD), Vince Langdon-Morris (GREEN), LD GAIN (1) from CON, GREEN GAIN (1) from CON. Turnout: 41pc.
RESULT: Martlesham & Purdis Farm elected - Mark Packard (LD), Edward Thompson (LD), LD GAIN (1) from CON, LD HOLD (1). Turnout: 37.2pc.
RESULT: Rushmere St Andrew elected - Deborah Dean (CON). CON HOLD (1). Turnout: 35.4pc.
RESULT: Lowestoft Gunton & St Margarets elected - George King (LAB), Graham Parker (LAB). LAB GAIN (2) from CON. Turnout: 30pc.
RESULT: Oulton Broad elected - Edward Back (CON), Andrée Gee (CON), Keith Robinson (CON). CON HOLD (3). Turnout: 26.4pc.
RESULT: Orwell & Villages elected - Mike Ninmey (LD), Lee Reeves (LD). LD GAIN (2). Turnout: 35.9pc.
RESULT: Lowestoft Harbour & Normanston elected - Janet Craig (LAB), Tess Gandy (LAB), Keith Patience (LAB). LAB HOLD (3). Turnout: 18.1pc.
RESULT: Deben elected - James Mallinder (CON), CON HOLD (1). Turnout: 40.5pc.
It now means that the make up of the council is in the balance, with no party having an overall majority in East Suffolk.
In only its second election as a unified authority, following the merger of Suffolk Coastal and Waveney four years ago, there was joy for the Greens, dismay for the Tories and gains for both the Lib Dems and Labour after a fascinating day.
As a thunderstorm hit the east coast, the winds of change swept through the corridors of power at the district’s election count.
With the council previously run by the Conservative administration, with 39 seats, the Tories lost 24 seats on a day where the overall turnout was 34.2 per cent.
The Green Party gained 11 seats, to take them up to 16 – just ahead of the Conservatives on 15.
Labour gained five seats, while the Liberal Democrats gained eight seats to move both parties up to 12 and 11 seats respectively, with one independent.
An East Suffolk Council spokesman said: "New makeup as follows: Green 16, Conservative 15, Labour 12, Lib Dem 11, Independent 1 – no overall control."
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