Labour retain control of Rotherham Borough Council

VOTERS kept Labour in power at Rotherham Borough Council after an all-out election called after the party’s previous regime was severely criticised and control was taken over by Westminster.

Candidates sporting red rosettes won 48 of the 63 seats up for grabs in the town hall council chamber.

UKIP remains the borough’s main opposition with 14 councillors, while Clive Jepson regained his seat in the Anston and Woodsetts ward and the Tories were wiped out, with Mayor-elect Chris Middleton losing out.

Child sex abuse whistle-blower Jayne Senior was elected as a Labour councillor in the Valley ward while UKIP leader Caven Vines lost his Rawmarsh seat.

Ex-Mayor Barry Dodson, who successfully fought against a sex assault charge, stood as an independent in Rotherham East but could only finish fifth.

Labour group leader Chris Read: "It's been better than expected. I'm really pleased people have the confidence in us to keep making changes."

The unprecedented election — Rotherham’s first all-out poll since 2004 — was ordered by then local government secretary Eric Pickles last year.

It followed the Casey report which found RMBC unfit for purpose in the wake of the child sexual exploitation scandal.

Lead commissioner Sir Derek Myers said: “I am pleased that 163 local people offered themselves as candidates to serve their neighbours. And on a turnout better than many other areas, voters have now chosen the 63 councillors who will take the council forward.

"This includes 36 councillors elected for the first time in the last 12 months - meaning that the majority of the council has changed over the past year.

“The Labour administration has a clear majority and should now be able to face the challenges ahead with confidence.”

There was a turnout of 33 per cent.

RESULTS IN FULL