136 of 136 councils Counting complete
Labour remains the largest party in Coventry, but loses its outright control of the city council after strong gains from Reform UK.
Reform also takes seats in Nuneaton and Bedworth, including that of Labour council leader Steve Hey
Warwickshire county Reform leader, George Finch, wins a borough seat in Nuneaton and Bedworth, as does his father.
In Rugby, there are also three gains for Reform, but the Conservatives are the largest party, and Labour and Lib Dems - who previously ruled together - have more seats combined
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Hannah Griffiths
BBC CWR
One Lib Dem councillor has shown me how hard she has been campaigning here in Rugby.
The step count on councillor Isabelle McKenzie's phone showed she’s walked 190,000 steps in 6 days - the equivalent of 135km - and she wasn't even up for re-election.
So far, the Lib Dems have held seats in Eastlands and Paddox.
Warwickshire County Council Reform UK leader George Finch has won his borough council seat with a sizeable majority.
He took 1,320 votes, compared to 618 for Labour's Ivy Winters Wanjiru.
The 19-year-old had predicted a "magical" day for his party and so far his prediction they would "win, win, win" is coming true.
The Warwickshire Reform UK leader has taken the Bede seat on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough
David Lumb
Nuneaton & Bedworth count
Mike Wright gave the Green party its first win of the day on Nuneaton and Bedworth Council. Wright was elected in the Weddington ward.
Shortly before counting got under way in Nuneaton and Bedworth earlier, George Finch, the county's Reform UK leader, predicted on X the party would "achieve something magical today".
"We're going to smash it today," he said in a video message. "I just want to thank everybody that turned out and voted for Reform UK yesterday."
He added the party would bring "change, transparency and a better council for you the taxpayer".
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The moment Michael Bannister (Reform UK) defeated Labour's Steve Hey in Attleborough.
Simon Gilbert
Political Reporter, Coventry and Warwickshire
There has been a significant increase in the percentage of people who can vote heading to the polls at this election compared to the last council election in 2024.
There has been an increase in turnout across the board compared to 2024 from 28.5 to 36.8 per cent.
In Earlsdon, more people voted than didn't with a turnout of 53%. A similar figure of 50% in Wainbody. Both wards had an increase of exactly 10%.
Those sort of voter numbers are rare in the city.
Foleshill is the only ward so far with a slight drop in turnout down from 32% to 31%.
The feeling in the room is that an increased turnout could be good news for Reform and the Greens.
Rugby's first result is in earlier than expected and it's a Reform gain from Labour.
The Coton and Boughton ward, previously held by cabinet member Alison Livesey, has gone to Reform's Jamie Pullin, who took 733 votes.
Livesey polled 584, with the Conservative candidate Karolina Lipowska hot on her heels with 567.
There are early indications of a trend developing in Nuneaton and Bedworth.
Reform UK has so far gained the Exhall, Heath, Galley Common and Eastboro wards, with sizeable majorities.
In Heath, Ali Brassington won 1,121 votes, with Labour's Julie Anne Jackson trailing behind on just 425.
Some of the other numbers are equally convincing.
Simon Gilbert
Coventry City Council count
I've been in the count hall for more a couple of hours now as the ballot papers are emptied onto the tables to be sorted.
I have been speaking to some of the scores of candidates and party support staff who have already arrived, as they try to get an early feel for what they can see on the ballot papers.
Combining this new knowledge with the messages they have been hearing on the campaign trail - candidates of all colours seem to be of the same opinion.
It's going to be close here in Coventry and unpredictable in almost every ward.
Nobody appears to be feeling overly confident at this stage. Although many expect a difficult day for Labour and a more positive one for Reform.
Quite what the council will look like when the votes have been counted today is really anybody's guess.
Hannah Griffiths
Rugby Borough Council count
At Rugby Borough Council, a third of the 42 council seats were up for election yesterday, plus a by-election for the Bilton ward.
That means, in all, 15 seats are up for grabs - but 22 are needed for an outright majority.
Reform UK currently have no seats on the council. They're widely expected to have done well here this time, but even if they win all the seats available they can’t win a majority.
However, Labour have been running the council with a minority of 15 seats since 2024, thanks to a loose agreement with the Liberal Democrats. So, if Reform UK were to win all the seats, they could in theory do a deal for control.
Of the 15 seats available, Labour previously held five, the Lib Dems 4, and the Conservatives 6.
The current Labour leader in Rugby, Michael Moran, is stepping down with a new candidate running in his ward. Counting began here at midday.
David Lumb
Nuneaton and Bedworth count
Half of the 38 seats are up for grabs in Nuneaton and Bedworth. No-one has an overall majority. Labour had the most seats (18). That’s one more than Conservatives. But nine of those seats are up for grabs including the one just lost by leader Steve Hey and three cabinet members. Reform are putting a lot into this area. Nigel Farage was in Bedworth last month and Richard Tice was speaking to market traders in Nuneaton on Saturday. There are rumours this morning Tice could turn up here too.
Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch, at 19 years of age the youngest county council leader in the country, is fighting for the Bede ward. Reform can’t physically get an overall majority today as only a third of seats are up for grabs. But if they do well – could there be a scenario where they team up with the Tories to take power with George Finch as leader?
David Lumb
Nuneaton and Bedworth count
The first result has been declared in Nuneaton and Bedworth and it's seen Reform UK's Mike Bannister take Labour leader Steve Hey's seat.
• Mike Bannister, Reform UK - 900
• Tess Brookes, Green Party - 316
• Steve Hey, Labour - 355
• Vijay Rughoo, Conservative - 365
What were the issues that influenced your vote? Tell us what mattered most to you in the local election – and see your story on the BBC. Your Voice, Your Vote. Tell us your story: Your Voice, Your Vote: Local election coverage driven by audience - BBC News #BBCElection
David Lumb
BBC News Online
Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch has said this morning he would be capable of running both the county and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough council and there would be benefits in terms of closer connections.
The 19-year-old is vying for the Bede seat today.
Labour Nuneaton MP Jodie Gosling has now arrived at the count.
The first results are expected from here within the next ten minutes.
Simon Gilbert
Political Reporter, Coventry and Warwickshire
Coventry faces its most consequential local election in more than 20 years.
Every single one of the 54 seats on Coventry City Council is up for grabs for the first time since 2004 - a rare reset which puts full control of the authority on the line.
The last time that happened, Labour lost control of the authority. And since this council was formed in 1974, there have been just eight years when Labour has not run the show. That shows how seismic these votes can be.
Going into this election, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council was dominated by what we used to call the two main parties - Labour on 18 seats and the Tories on 17.
The Greens had two and Liberal Democrats one.
Nuneaton and Bedworth has two councillors in each ward (electoral area), one of which is up for election this time round. So only half of the seats on the council are in play today.
Remember, Reform UK took control of Warwickshire County Council last year, so all eyes will be on what impact they have from a starting position of zero on this authority.
A team of 95 have started Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's count in the sports hall of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.
There are 19 wards up for grabs, each electing one councillor for a four year term.
The first results are expected to be declared this afternoon.
Image source, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough CouncilThis authority was solidly Labour before voters gave their verdict yesterday.
Thirty-nine of the council's 54 seats were held by Keir Starmer's party, with the remainder split between the Conservatives on 10, a Green/Independent alliance and Reform UK.
Coventry has seen boundary changes between its wards this election, so that means the whole council is up for election, rather than a third of the members being chosen each year.
Today's count is a family affair for Warwickshire County Council’s 19-year-old leader, George Finch.
The Reform UK county councillor for Bedworth Central is standing in Nuneaton and Bedworth’s Bede seat in the borough election – and has suggested he would have time to lead both councils.
Meanwhile his dad, Stuart Finch, is contesting the Stockingford East seat for Reform.
The young leader has spoken frequently about his dad’s influence in his life, and said Finch senior decided he “wanted to throw his hat in the ring”.
George Finch and his dad are standing for Reform UK in Nuneaton and Bedworth borough
Some counts took place overnight -with Reform UK performing well.
Here's a roundup of what's happened so far:
This reflects the nation picture where early English council results show Reform picking up seats in former Labour heartlands.