SOUTHAMPTON’S civic chiefs will have a lot to reflect on after a night that saw the council’s leader beaten.

Simon Letts, who has been in office since 2006, was beaten to the Bitterne seat by Conservative Terry Streets by 295 votes.

The Labour stalwart said early on that the seat was “a tight contest” but not many in the party expected him to go.

Cabinet member Warwick Payne said: “I think it is fair to say that the Labour group came into this evening not expecting what has happened.

“Our top priority is assuring residents that everything will still run as it did.

“It may take a few days for the new leader to be appointed but we will continue the work that Simon started.”

The Conservatives also lost their leader Jeremy Moulton. First elected in 2002, Mr Moulton was beaten to the Freemantle seat by Labour’s Stephen Leggett.

The former leader said: “I think the Labour vote in Freemantle is very strong.

“Now I will go away and reflect; have a few days off. Maybe it could be time for a change from politics.”

Labour held the council with a majority of two – the same as they started the night.

BARGATE

  • BOGLE Sarah Jane Lab 1,668

  • COOK Diane Lesley TUSAC 63

  • COX Joe Green 184

  • CURD Ben Lib 204

  • OSMOND Edward James Con 827

Turnout: 24.7 per cent

LAB Hold

BASSETT

  • BLACKMAN Richard Lib 464

  • FRENCH Alan Jack Green 263

  • HARRIS Beryl May Con 1,682

  • SPICER Sally Victoria Lab 965

Turnout: 33.9 per cent

CON Hold

BEVOIS

  • CHOPRA Vijay Lib 173

  • GALTON Diana June Con 417

  • KATARIA Toqeer Ahmed Lab 2,260

  • MELDRUM Ronald Nicholas Green 233

Turnout: 28.4 per cent

LAB Hold

BITTERNE

  • LETTS Simon Jonathan Lab 1,233

  • MCMILLAN Duncan Robert Green 114

  • REED Olivia Caitlin Lib 118

  • STEAD Lisa Joanne Ind 96

  • STREETS Terry Michael Con 1,528

Turnout: 30.9 per cent

CON Gain

BITTERNE PARK

  • BARNES Jenny Green 297

  • HARWOOD Rob Con 1,914

  • MINTO Ashley Mark Lab 1,525

  • READ James Arnold Lib 266

Turnout: 38.2 per cent

CON Hold

COXFORD

  • BURGESS James Victor Con 559

  • GREENWOOD Amy Eve Lib 103

  • LAMBERT Ricky Ind 82

  • MORRELL Keith Ind 1,595

  • MUNDELL Lucy Michelle Green 101

  • RENYARD Matt Lab 958

Turnout: 32.7 per cent

Indy Hold

FREEMANTLE

  • CLIFTON-MELHUISH Alexander Lib 217

  • HOOD Lindsey Cherrie Green 185

  • LEGGETT Steve Lab 1,704

  • MOULTON Jeremy Richard Con 1,484

  • PACKWOOD Peter Graham TUSAC 28

  • THOMPSON Ed PABVVE 167

Turnout: 34.1 per cent

LAB Gain

HAREFIELD

  • BLUEMEL Chris Green 136

  • LAURENT Val Con 2,015

  • LLOYD Alan Lab 1,401

  • MCDOUGALL Colin Stuart Lib 123

  • VIRGO Peter Alexander Ind 148

Turnout: 36.7 per cent

CON Hold

MILLBROOK

  • BEAL Andrew Thomas Lib 159

  • BEAN Jonathan Simon Green 158

  • DENNESS Mike Lab 1,631

  • EDWORTHY Ed Ind 91

  • GALTON Steven Graham Patrick Con 1,694

  • HINGSTON Pearline UKIP 92

Turnout: 34.5 per cent

CON Gain

PEARTREE

  • BELL Tom Con 1,725

  • CLUNE Declan Peter TUSAC 44

  • MABEY Nick Green 142

  • NAISH Robert William Lib 219

  • RENDLE Catherine Rebecca Lab 1,579

Turnout: 35.5 per cent

CON Gain

PORTSWOOD

  • BARBOUR Katherine Jane Green 348

  • CHAFFEY Nick TUSAC 31

  • FORD Adrian Lib 923

  • MITCHELL Lisa Lab 1,587

  • O`NEILL Paul Nicholas Con 851

Turnout: 35.6 per cent

LAB GAin

REDBRIDGE

  • COWLEY Matthew Robert Con 583

  • JAMES Christopher Richard Green 96

  • LYONS Richard John UKIP 124

  • MCEWING Cathie Lab 1,181

  • STOKES Simon David Lib 99

  • WYATT Denise Mary Elizabeth Ind 982

Turnout: 28.0 per cent

LAB Hold

SHIRLEY

  • COOMBS Hannah Lab 1,952

  • GALTON Peter Graham Lib 440

  • GUEST Amanda Jane Ind 123

  • HINGSTON Colin Brendan UKIP 107

  • SPOTTISWOODE John Charles Thomas Green 204

  • TURPIN Matt Con 1,244

Turnout: 38.7 per cent

LAB Hold

SHOLING

  • BRAYSHAW Lyn Hazel Green 153

  • FRAMPTON Andy Lab 1,323

  • GUTHRIE Marley George Con 2,093

  • MACKIN Phillip Lib 162

Turnout: 34.9 per cent

CON Hold

SWAYTHLING

  • CLARKE PAUL ALEXANDER Lib 275

  • COTTON Angela Mary Green 191

  • FIELKER Lorna Lab 1,062

  • PAINTON Bob Con 956

Turnout: 28.8 per cent

LAB Gain

WOOLSTON

  • ATKINS Sue TUSAC 109

  • HAMMOND Christopher Lab 1,495

  • HARRIS Samuel David Lib 141

  • HILLMAN Clive George Green 148

  • JONES Matt Con 1,161

Turnout: 28.6 per cent

LAB Hold