Tom Sheldrick

Our Political Correspondent Tom Sheldrick rounds up the local elections results across the North East. Silksworth leisure centre in Sunderland has become a familiar sight on election nights, thanks to the speed at which votes are counted. Not normally because of the prospect of anything actually changing hands. Wearside has chosen Labour MPs for decades and Sunderland City Council had been under the party's control since its creation in the 1970s.

Council elections are taking place in parts of the North East on Thursday 7 May 2026. Candidate nominations have now closed, as of 4pm on Thursday 9 April. Where are elections happening?

Most of the region's councils are increasing bills close to the maximum level, despite the government announcing 'fairer' funding allocations for councils. Credit: PA Council tax bills are set to rise by nearly 5% in most areas of the North East in April - despite the government saying they are providing "fairer" funding allocations for councils.