Belbin said: “Obviously, I would have loved to have Jane back on the council because she was a fantastic councillor and a really great candidate in these elections.
“But Reform had a majority of 1,000 in May. We’ve slashed that majority to less than 300 this time round.”
Jakeman stood for Dore and Totley ward in May. He came second out of six candidates as Liberal Democrats group leader Martin Smith retained his seat.
Reform won 12 seats in May, bringing their group total up to 13. Since then, their number has dropped by three to 10 because of resignations or suspensions.
Labour now has 25 members, the Liberal Democrats have 22, the Green Party has 20, Reform UK 11, Sheffield Community Councillors two and Independents four.
The council remains under no overall control with Labour and the Greens in a shared administration.
Reform group leader John Hesketh said Jakeman was “a welcome addition” to the team, adding: “He will fit in well with Reform’s wish to hold the current Labour and Green Party town hall leadership to account.”
