VOTES have been counted in the election to decide the political make-up of Leeds City Council.

The authority remains under the control of Labour, with the party’s share of seats unchanged at 61.

The Conservatives lost three councillors - including Paul Alderson in the Guiseley and Rawdon ward - and now have 15 seats on the council.

The Liberal Democrats were unchanged on six seats following the election count today.

The Green Party now has five seats in Leeds following the vote, in which 33 wards were contested.

The Morley Borough Independents have four seats and the Garforth and Swillington Independents were also unchanged with three seats.

The Social Democratic Party gained a seat to reach three and there are still two independent city councillors.

Council leader James Lewis held his Kippax and Methley seat with 3,570 votes for Labour.

He said: “I think in many parts of Leeds today there’s been a real endorsement of our work as a Labour administration as a council.

“That’s down to the things we are doing to take the city forward. And it’s a real condemnation of 14 years of Tory austerity that they are struggling in many seats.

“I think today shows that the next general election is going to be bad news for the Conservatives, and we need to get on with that general election.

“And that will give people some hope there’s going to be some change coming in this country.

“It’s clear what people want. They want rid of the Conservatives.”

The Green Party now has five council seats after winning in Armley, Headingley and Hyde Park and Gipton and Harehills.

Leeds Conservative leader Alan Lamb was re-elected in Wetherby with 3,727 votes.

Local results included:

Adel and Wharfedale ward: The Conservative Party Candidate hold. Elected: Anderson Caroline Helen.

ANDERSON Caroline Helen (The Conservative Party Candidate) 3,274; LOVE Fiona Sarah Heather (Green Party) 503; ORTON Jane (Labour Party) 2,563; ROBINSON Corey (Yorkshire Party) 228; SLINGER Sharon Margaret (Liberal Democrats) 838.

Guiseley and Rawdon ward: Labour and Co-operative Party gain. Elected: Leighton Sonia.

ALDERSON Paul James (The Conservative Party Candidate) 2,782; BUXTON Bob (Yorkshire Party) 672; LEIGHTON Sonia (Labour and Co-operative Party) 3,604; PAGE Helen Louise (Liberal Democrats) 316; WHEELER Lucy Katherine Green Party (363).

Horsforth ward: Labour Party hold. Elected: Garvani John.

CALVERT Chris (Local Conservatives) 1,971; COWLING Ian (Yorkshire Party) 414; GARVANI John (Labour Party) 4,388; JONES Gideon Matthew William (Green Party) 565; PARKER Roderic ( Liberal Democrats) 367; WRIGHT Nathan Christopher (Social Democratic Party).

Otley ward: Liberal Democrats hold. Elected: Lay Sandy Edward Charles.

BRADLEY Mick (Green Party) 1,106; LAY Sandy Edward Charles (Liberal Democrats) 3,455; LIBBISH Noah (Yorkshire Party) 392; MCCARGO Ian Joseph (Labour and Co-operative Party) 1,924; SINGH Jas (The Conservative Party Candidate) 491.

Leeds City Council said the election turnout was 34.24 per cent.