Liberal Democrats ‘hopeful’ of deal for control of Cambridgeshire County Council
The Liberal Democrats will be holding talks with their Labour and independent colleagues over plans to take control of Cambridgeshire County Council.
The Lib Dems gained four seats across the county taking their total to 20 despite losing Cambridge divisions Chesterton and Market to Labour, who picked up a third seat to take their total to nine.
The Conservative party lost six seats, while two independents and two from the St Neots Independent group held their seats.
This has led to the county council having no overall control, forcing the parties to battle it out to form a coalition.
The council will agree key political roles – such as leader of the council and all key committee appointments - at its annual general meeting which will be held on Tuesday, May 18 at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
Liberal Democrat group leader Lucy Nethsingha, who held onto her Newnham seat, said she was ‘hopeful’ of securing a deal.
But she acknowledged it had been a tough day for the Lib Dems in the city.
“It’s been a tough morning in Cambridge, but it’s been amazing in South Cambridgeshire and also, East Cambridgeshire,” Liberal Democrat group leader Lucy Nethsingha told Cambridge Independent.
Cllr Nethsingha added: “There are conversations being had and I will be talking with Labour colleagues and the independents, many of whom I know. I hope very much that we will see a bit of a change of direction in Cambridgeshire. That’s what I’ll be making the case for.”
Cllr Nethsingha said there had been conversations prior to today's result and was ‘hopeful’ of a deal. She expected there to be some progress in the coming days.
Read more:
Live: Cambridgeshire elections results as they happen
Elections 2021: Cambridge City Council results
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