WYRE Forest District Council Labour group’s leader has written to opposition parties with a view to exploring “potential common ground”.
It comes during a period of uncertainty after the Conservatives lost overall control of the now-hung council at last week’s elections. The Tories are, however, still the biggest party with 20 seats and could form a minority administration.
Jamie Shaw said he did not seek to build a “rainbow coalition” but there were issues they, Independent Community and Health Concern and Liberals could work together on for a “more democratic” council.
He said: “These are a return to two scrutiny committees, fair apportionment of scrutiny chairmanships decided by opposition groups and representation which better reflects the council’s composition.
“There are, of course, areas of common ground with the Conservatives on which Labour expects to work constructively. The issues listed, however, seem to be areas in which the non-Conservative majority should mobilise.”
ICHC leader, Nigel Thomas, said his party would meet during the next few weeks but would cooperate with Mr Shaw.
“We have no problem with making the council more democratic and making alterations so we will go along that road with Jamie. Now the balance of power has shifted we can apply some pressure.
“I do not see there being a complete tie-up between any of the parties. We do not want to get too close because we have our own way of doing things.”
Liberal leader Fran Oborski said she would be meeting with members of the Liberal and Independent Group before responding.
“We do want to see more members of the council have an active role in scrutiny,” she said.
“Although as a local authority that has to save money we would prefer every last bit of money to be spent on public services rather than members of the council.”
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