Reform UK has retained Castle Ward on Scarborough Town Council after its candidate Susan Rumford won a dramatic by-election by just one vote.
Rumford received 251 votes in the poll held on Thursday, 30 July, narrowly defeating Labour candidate Fiona Margaret Stephenson, who finished with 250 votes.
Green Party candidate Stuart Noble placed third with 222 votes, while Independent candidate Robert Hall received 94 votes.
Full Result
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| Susan Rumford | Reform UK | 251 |
| Fiona Margaret Stephenson | Labour Party | 250 |
| Stuart William Leslie Noble | Green Party | 222 |
| Robert Steven Hall | Independent | 94 |
A Knife-Edge Finish
The official declaration recorded 817 valid votes and three rejected ballot papers. Turnout was 15.03 per cent from an electorate of 5,455.
Rumford took approximately 30.72 per cent of the valid vote, compared with 30.60 per cent for Stephenson. The result means Reform UK has held the seat by the narrowest possible winning margin.
Why the By-Election Was Held
The contest followed the resignation of Reform UK councillor and Scarborough town mayoress Stacy Bolton in June. Bolton said she was stepping down because of a change in personal circumstances.
Scarborough Town Council was established in 2025, with Reform UK winning 11 of its 15 seats at the authority's inaugural election. Rumford's victory keeps Castle Ward in Reform UK hands after an exceptionally close four-way contest.