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An independent/Liberal Democrat partnership is set to take control in Redcar and Cleveland Council.

No single party was left with an overall majority in the borough after the local elections on May 2.

The previous minority Labour administration slumped from 28 seats to 15, leading to the resignation of Cllr Sue Jeffrey as group leader .

Independents now make up the largest group with 18 members, although a total of 30 seats is needed to get votes through full council.

Independents have now agreed to partner with the 13-strong Lib Dems to achieve a majority.

The two groups have agreed to work in “equal partnership”, with the new administration expected to be ratified at the council’s Annual General Meeting later this month.

Cabinet positions will be divided equally between the two groups, with Independents’ leader, Cllr Mary Lanigan, becoming council leader.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Karen King will be deputy council leader.

The two leaders say they will work in equal partnership across all decisions.

Cllr King will also be responsible for the council’s communications.

There will be eight cabinet positions – including the leader and deputy leader – and the following portfolios will be held by the following councillors:

Corporate Resources – Cllr Glyn Nightingale (Liberal Democrat)

Children – Cllr Alison Barnes (Liberal Democrat)

Adult Social Care – Cllr Mary Ovens (Liberal Democrat)

Neighbourhoods and Environment – Cllr Barry Hunt (Independent)

Economic Development – Cllr Wayne Davies (Independent)

Social Wellbeing – Cllr Steve Kay (Independent)

The groups have agreed a number of joint pledges and will commit to:

Ensuring the area is clean and tidy and offers an attractive quality of life for its citizens

Giving value for money in all Council services

Raising the standard of secondary education

Bringing jobs, prosperity and business diversity to the Borough and supporting our current businesses

Making the whole borough carbon neutral by 2030

Ensuring no one is left behind by lack of support and encouraging and supporting independent living and good health

It is the second time long-serving Cllr Lanigan has been appointed council leader.

She previously held the role for several months in 2015 .

Cllr Lanigan said: “The Independents have come together from across the borough for the benefit of all the residents of Redcar and Cleveland. We will now be working in partnership with the Lib Dems to bring positive change.”

Cllr Lanigan will also be appointed to the Tees Valley Combined Authority Board.

(Image: Ian McIntyre)

It will add to widespread changes to the TVCA leadership following the disastrous election for Labour on Teesside .

Cllr King said Independents and Lib Dems “have listened to the people of Redcar and Cleveland”.

She added: “They have asked for change and that is what we are giving them. Our priorities will ensure this change will improve the lives of all our residents.”

Speaking about the partnership, Cllr Wayne Davies, independent councillor for Loftus, said: “We as independents in the council are looking forward to delivering for the residents of Redcar and Cleveland who put their faith in us.

“We want to make sure we get it right.

“Working with the Liberal Democrats as a partnership we feel we can all achieve what we were elected to deliver.”