CONSERVATIVE and Liberal Democrat councillors have expressed hope their policies will gain more sway in the political year ahead.
The first hung council in decades leaves the Liberal Dems with the balance of power but leader Diane Thomas said the group would not form a pact with Labour or the Tories.
Labour now hold 14 seats, Conservatives 12 and Liberal Democrats three.
But Conservative leader Gavin Smithers is in a confident mood and said his party 'will set the agenda for the municipal year ahead'.
He said a Labour and Lib Dem pact would lead to a 'sterile stalemate'.
Tonight's first full council meeting after the election will see a new leader voted in and members of a new powerful cabinet chosen.
Councillor Dave Cartwright is the Labour group's new leader and is expected to be voted council leader.
He said his group will propose a politically balanced cabinet of eight members, half Labour.
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