Cheshire East Council will again be run by a joint Labour/Independent administration for the next four years, writes Belinda Ryan.
Independent group leader Cllr Craig Browne confirmed his members had opted to work with Labour rather the Conservatives following “intense negotiations” with both parties.
Cllr Browne (pictured) told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this morning: “This agreement concludes a period of intense negotiations with both the Labour and Conservative groups at Cheshire East.
“As a result of these negotiations, we have been able to secure enhanced representation for the Independent group in key positions, notably the chairs of highways and transport, environment and communities, economy and growth, licensing and northern planning committee.
“These positions will allow the Independent group to have greater influence over the running of these key service areas, thereby enabling us to deliver for our residents and the residents of the wider borough.”
Cllr Browne thanked both Labour group leader Sam Corcoran and Conservative leader Janet Clowes for their constructive approach to the negotiations.
“Ultimately we received strong offers from both groups,” he said.
“However, on this occasion, we have decided that stable leadership is what the council most needs at this time.
“The agreement we have reached today is valid for the next four years, but will be reviewed at the end of each year to ensure that both sides are upholding their part of the deal.”
The council will be run by a joint administration because neither of the major parties managed to win 42 seats at this month’s local elections, which would have given them overall control.
The Conservatives have 33 councillors, Labour 31, the Independents 16 – of which 14 are in the Independent group – and the Liberal Democrats have two.
The Independent group, despite losing most seats in the Cheshire East borough election, held all the cards in that they ultimately decided who they would run the council with.
Labour group leader Sam Corcoran said: “This agreement ensures continuing stability at Cheshire East Council which will be of major benefit to our residents.
“Labour will continue to lead the council, with a similar arrangement to that of the previous joint administration regarding committee chairs.
“Our increase in representation on the council also increases our committee membership and the opportunity to make a difference in delivering services and regulatory matters.
“Labour has also secured agreement to the vast majority of our manifesto pledges and will work to implement these through the joint administration and our increased representation and influence on the council’s decision-making committees.
“I would like to thank both the leader of the Independent group and my own negotiations team for their hard work to deliver this agreement which is subject to formal ratification at our Labour group meeting on Saturday, May 20.”
So we can look forward to four years of the roads continuing to fall apart, litter on verges, weeds in the gutter, grass not cut and charges for brown bins then.