The 2026 South Tyneside Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day. All 54 members of South Tyneside Council were elected. The election was held after boundary changes.
Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control. Labour was the largest party but was one seat short of a majority; it was running the council as a minority administration. At this election, Reform UK, which held no seats prior to the election, won 41 of the 54 seats on the council, giving it a significant majority. Labour was reduced to just one seat. The Labour councillors who lost their seats included the incumbent leader of the council, Tracey Dixon. There were also 10 Green Party councillors elected and two independents. Reform chose Paul Mackings as its new group leader after the election. He was formally appointed as the new leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 19 May 2026.
Background In 2024, Labour retained control of the council.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 28 27 11 9 15 18 Vacant 0 0
Election result
Ward results Beacon and Bents
Bede
Biddick and All Saints
Boldon Colliery
Cleadon Park and Harton Moor
Cleadon Village and East Boldon
Fellgate and Hedworth
Harton
Hebburn North
Hebburn South
Horsley Hill and Westoe Crown
Monkton
Primrose
Simonside and Rekendyke
West Park
Westoe
Whitburn and Marsden
Whiteleas
Post-election changes
By-elections
Harton
References