Labour lost two seats in Gateshead in wards where leisure centres have been put under threat of closure, though the party maintained its strong control on the council.
Gateshead's Liberal Democrat opposition claimed two gains at 2023's local elections, celebrating victories in Saltwell and Birtley as votes were counted on Friday morning. The Gateshead Liberal Democrats managed to claim two seats from the Labour Party at this morning's count.
In doing so, the opposition party toppled Saltwell councillor and deputy mayor of Gateshead, Robert Waugh. The Lib Dem's Leanne Brand narrowly wrestled the contested seat in Saltwell from Labour with 900 votes, a majority of 58.
Birtley has now also elected Paul Elliott as its new Lib Dem councillor, after he amassed a total of 1,224 votes with a majority of 456. The previous labour incumbent, Catherine Davison, came second and lost her seat with 768 ballots.
Both wards have been at the centre of controversy surrounding the future of Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Swimming Centre, both of which have been earmarked for potential closure. The Labour-run council has insisted it must cut back its leisure offer due to rising costs, but has delayed a final decision on the plans until this summer to allow time for extra public consultation and talks about transferring the facilities to community management.
The proposals sparked a backlash from locals, who have pleaded for their beloved sports centres to be saved. Leader of the Gateshead Liberal Democrats, Ron Beadle, stated that conversations about the leisure centres did not "dominate" their campaign bt would have acted as a "tipping point" for some.
On the results, Labour council leader Martin Gannon said: "Obviously I do not like losing any seat. I am pleased that we were successful in a majority of wards but I am disappointed that we were unsuccessful in these two seats." When asked whether the leisure centres' troubles contributed to Labour's losses, Mr Gannon said "I think it is difficult to say, we will have to analyse the figures afterwards. I think the fact we are looking at potential closures is bound to be a factor, but we are working hard to secure the future of these facilities.
"I think what is particularly galling is that much of the financial difficulties that the council finds itself in are a result of substantial spending reductions from the central government between 2010 and 2015. The majority of the austerity cuts were made by the coalition government of which the Liberal Democrats were part. It's particularly ironic and galling that the Liberal Democrats can claim any success from that. "
Lib Dem Whickham South and Sunniside councillor Jonathan Wallace responded: "I would remind Martin that the coalition ended eight years ago. They had every opportunity to make them financially viable since then and have utterly failed to do so. Labour's stock answer to any difficult question is to blame the Liberal Democrats in coalition and frankly I don't think anybody buys that outside the Labour Party anymore".
The balance of Gateshead Council now stands at 49 Labour councillors (-2) and 17 Lib Dems (+2).
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