‘A new dawn for Sheffield’: What does no overall control mean?

It was a dramatic count at the English Institute of Sport that saw Sheffield Labour not only lose control of the council with defeats in eight seats – five to the Greens and three to the Liberal Democrats – but lose its leader Bob Johnson.

The first Conservative councillor in Sheffield for two decades was also voted in. Lewis Chinchen will represent Stocksbridge and Upper Don ward which is within the constituency of Conservative MP Miriam Cates.

It is yet to be decided exactly how no overall control will work for the council, the parties will need to come up with a plan together.

Councillor Douglas Johnson, leader of Sheffield Green Party, said: “We are into an area now Sheffield Council hasn’t experienced for a long time so we will have to wait and see. Everyone needs to have a bit of a breather over the weekend and see what’s happened and have a think about how to proceed next.

“As I said before, it will mean that councillors of all parties will have to work together in the best interests of the residents of Sheffield and we will certainly be looking to play our part in that.”

Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of Sheffield Liberal Democrats, said: “It means the Labour party can’t just go on doing whatever it pleases, it has to work with others. It’s going to be a cultural shock to them, they have not been used to it, they are going to have to value every member of this council and it’s a new dawn for Sheffield. Let’s see what the referendum result holds, we might have a very different way of working.”

As well as city councillors, residents voted on a referendum on how the council is run and for a police and crime commissioner for South Yorkshire.

Some in Ecclesfield also voted for parish councillors and those living in Broomhill, Broomfield, Endcliffe, Summerfield or Tapton voted on a referendum on whether to adopt a neighbourhood plan.

The results of the referendums and police and crime commissioner will be announced on Monday, May 10.