REDDITCH Labour is edging closer to a majority after gaining seats at the local elections.

Following last week’s elections, Labour now has 13 seats on Redditch Borough Council and the Conservatives now have 16.

There are no longer any Independents or Greens sitting on the council.

Out of the ten seats up for grabs, Labour gained five seats and held one seat while the Conservatives held four seats.

The Conservatives lost some big names in their party including Redditch mayor, Ann Isherwood, who lost her Church Hill seat to Labour councillor James Fardoe.

She said: “I will never forget some of the wonderful people that I have met - it was and many of you will know a steep learning curve for me.

“I am a great believer in democracy and the candidate who will best serve Church Hill was chosen by the people of Church Hill."

Cllr Joe Baker leader of Redditch Labour said the group has made ‘massive progress’.

He said: "Even though we did not take control of the council the Labour team made massive progress, holding the seat we held plus winning five Tory held seats - what was also impressive was the huge dent in the Conservative's safe seat majorities now making them marginals.

“We are now in a stronger position to hold the council to account and ensure your voice is heard."

Leader of Redditch Borough Council, Matt Dormer said: “It was an excellent achievement for Redditch Conservatives to hold control, especially considering the national backdrop.

“We can confidently continue delivering our bold regeneration plans, and our priorities promised to residents."

He also thanked Redditch mayor Ann Isherwood, Mike Chalk and Tom Baker Price, who lost their seats.

He added: “Thank you for your hard work serving residents, you have each achieved so much, your residents will miss you, as will the group.

“We all know that politics can be brutal, and I especially want to thank you all for your respect and decorum during the results evening.”

MP for Redditch, Rachel Maclean said: “I’m obviously thrilled Conservatives retained control of Redditch Borough Council, but that doesn’t hide that we lost hardworking and dedicated councillors.

"I am incredibly grateful to all my friends and colleagues for their service to our community.

“We will redouble our focus to deliver for local people with our positive and ambitious levelling up plan for our town centre, funded by the Conservative government investing in our town and taking it into the future.”