Colchester City Council to be run by Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats will make up the Cabinet of Colchester City Council following the failure of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to agree to the coalition arrangements that had been negotiated with the Liberal Democrats.

Local Liberal Democrats and Labour had reached a power-sharing agreement. However, any power sharing agreement has always required approval by Labour nationally and the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party stood firm in its stance that the party should control the town hall.

Lib Dem group leader Martin Goss hit out at the “bonkers delays at a national level," stating "both parties were ready and keen to work together."

The make up of the new Cabinet confirmed at the Colchester City Council Meeting today is:

Leader of the Council and Strategy – Councillor David King  

Deputy Leader of the Council and Resources – Councillor Mark Cory

Communities – Councillor Nat Sommers  

Economy, Transformation and Performance – Councillor Alison Jay  

Housing – Councillor Paul Smith  

Leisure, Culture and Heritage – Councillor Michelle Burrows

Neighbourhoods and Waste – Councillor Martin Goss  

Planning, Environment and Sustainability – Councillor Andrea Luxford-Vaughan

Leadership of Council Committees will be shared with Labour taking the Chairs and Lib Dems the Vice Chairs.