Volcanic ash grounds Wirral Council negotiations

May 19 2010 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

NEGOTIATIONS to resolve the deadlock  over Wirral’s hung council appeared to be  no closer this week –  and unlikely to be sorted out very  soon.

On Monday Liberal Democrat leader Simon Holbrook, whose party has  the balance of  power, was trying to  return  from a trip to Dublin, but was  grounded by the volcanic ash cloud   which has caused chaos at British  airports.

Cllr Holbrook’s party has 15 seats on   the council, on which no party has  overall control.

Any group controlling the  council needs 34 out of the  66 available  seats to have a majority.

Following the local elections, the  Conservatives increased their number of  seats to 27 and are the largest  party, with  Labour on 24 seats.

Cllr Holbrook said he  was “very  disappointed” he would miss  one of  the key events of the council year,  the  Mayor-making ceremony.

He said he was aware of mounting   speculation about what his party  would  decide, but said: “The council  does not  need a decision until next  Monday, and  we will take our time and  weigh up the  options and the best  interests of the  people of Wirral. We  will not be rushed  into any decision.”

Wirral’s councillors are due to meet   next Monday to elect a council leader.

Tory leader Jeff Green said he was  still waiting to meet with the Lib- Dems over  their offer, and his party  hoped to emulate the deal which had  been done nationally between Conservatives and the  Liberal Democrats.