Durham County Council confirmed that a vote will take place in the Murton ward on Thursday, March 5. Prospective candidates can submit their nomination papers at County Hall, Durham, between January 30 and February 6. It will be the third by-election in County Durham since last year’s full council vote, following the resignation of two former Reform councillors due to an employment conflict and ill-health. Reform won the two available seats within the East Durham ward during last May’s local elections as it took overall control of Durham County Council. The party initially won 65 seats but has seen its majority decrease to 62 after two members became independents and the Liberal Democrats won a by-election.