How it stands – Sheffield
In Sheffield, Labour are in control but don't have an overall majority, they will be looking to increase their advantage today. Here's how it stands:
Sheffield Council leader Terry Fox to be forced out following trees scandal
Sheffield's election count is not yet underway but council leader Terry Fox is expected to resign as Labour Leader.
This comes following a series of let-downs including the tree felling scandal and the Fargate shipping container disaster.
The news was reported this morning hours before the early results of local elections.
His resignation will prompt a leadership race and the party is expected to choose a new person for the role in the coming weeks.
Coun Fox, who became leader in 2021 after Julie Dore stepped down, has been under pressure to resign following the publication of Sir Mark Lowcock's report of the tree felling inquiry.
The report specified the tree despite as one of the reasons the party has been failing locally after losing its majority on the council in 2021.
According to the report, the council overstretched its authority in taking extreme action against protestors, has serious and sustained failures in leadership and misled the public, court and the independent panel it established to deal with the dispute.
In Barnsley, our reporter Rachel Flynn is watching the count take place, and will have all the latest comments and updates throughout the day.
The results so far
The results are encouraging for Labour and worrying for the Conservatives at the moment, but it will still be some time before we see a full picture as three-quarters of the councils are counting their results later this afternoon.
Following last night's count of the early results, Labour has gained 119 seats, taking control of three key targets: Plymouth, Stoke and Medway. The Conservatives, however, suffered a loss of 228 councillors and lost five councils to no overall control.
Updates to follow.
We have reporters around South Yorkshire to keep you updated.
Joao Santos is at the EIS in Sheffield for the count, he'll be speaking to councillors as the day goes on and keeping a track of all the winners and losers.
There’s a lot to play for
With 28 seats up for grabs in Sheffield and 21 in Barnsley, it's all to play for.
Labour currently hold a 27 seat majority in Barnsley.
In Sheffield, Labour have 39 council seats, just ten more than the Liberal Democrats.
It’s election results day!
Stay tuned to the Sheffield Wire throughout the day for live updates, comments and results from the Barnsley and Sheffield elections.
Live coverage gets underway at 9am
Our Sheffield Wire reporting team will be bringing you all the latest updates from the election counts in Sheffield and Barnsley throughout Friday.
We'll update this live news feed as the counts get underway, along with results and reaction, as well as how the election picture is developing across the UK.