The 2026 Gateshead Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom on the same day. All 66 seats across 22 wards were up for election, following a review of ward boundaries by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).
Prior to the election, the council had been under Labour majority control since its creation in 1974. At the election, Reform UK, which held no seats on the council prior to the election, won 38 seats, giving them an overall majority. The incumbent Labour leader of the council, Martin Gannon, lost his seat. After the election, Reform chose Nick Allan to be its new group leader. He was formally appointed as the new leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 29 May 2026.
Background In 2024, Labour retained control of the council.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 48 44 18 18 0 2VacantN/AVacant2 Changes 2024–2026: June 2024: Bob Goldsworthy (Labour) dies – by-election held September 2024 September 2024: Robert Waugh (Labour) wins by-election Sonya Hawkins (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held October 2024 Jane McCoid (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent October 2024: Susan Craig (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election June 2025: Robert Waugh (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent January 2026: Tom Graham (Labour) dies – seat left vacant until 2026 election March 2026: Jim Turnbull (Labour) dies – seat left vacant until 2026 election
Election result
Ward results
Birtley North & Lamesley
Birtley South
Blaydon
Bridges
Chopwell & Rowlands Gill
Chowdene
Crawcrook & Greenside
Deckham
Dunston Hill & Whickham East
Dunston Teams & Riverside
Felling
High Fell
Lobley Hill & Bensham
Low Fell
Pelaw Heworth & Bill Quay
Ryton, Crookhill & Stella
Saltwell
Wardley & Leam Lane
Whickham North & Swalwell
Whickham South & Sunniside
Windy Nook & Whitehills
Winlaton & High Spen
By-elections High Fell
References