West Norfolk: Anti-Conservative coalition in talks

The party lost overall control of the authority - which it had run since 2003 - in last week's local elections.

The council's Tory leader Stuart Dark blamed events nationally, saying his party could be proud of its local record.

The make-up of West Norfolk council after the polls (Image: Chris Bishop)

West Norfolk - which covers the constituency of former prime minister Liz Truss - was one of four councils in Norfolk and Waveney where the Conservatives saw their lead wiped out at the polls.

The final count left them with 21 seats, the independents 18, Labour 11, the Liberal Democrats three and the Greens two. 

Some 28 are needed for overall control of the 55-member council. 

Independents have agreed to join forces with the Lib Dems and Greens over the weekend, giving them 23 seats.

Jim Moriarty, deputy leader of the Independent Group on West Norfolk council (Image: Alan Miller)

A pact would need to be agreed with Labour in order to form an administration.

Jim Moriarty, deputy leader of the Independent Group, said: "We [the independents, Lib Dems and Greens] are the largest group and having agreed on so many things over the years, we'd hope to keep working together.

"I'm very excited by the discussions we've been having over the weekend and I think the Labour Group will be as well.

"We just want to get on with it, there's a lot to do."

Liberal Democrat councillor Josie Ratcliffe (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Lib Dem councillor Josie Ratcliffe said: "We've formed a group with the independent councillors and the Greens and, there are discussions ongoing, we have to speak to Labour.

"We're hoping to form an administration, there should be news out later this week."

Ben Jones, deputy leader of the Labour group, said it was still in talks with the party's regional office.

The party would have to agree to the local branch entering into an arrangement with another party or parties before formal negotiations could begin.