New Lib Dem and Independent coalition sets out its vision after taking the reins at Cornwall Council

There may now be a new administration in place at Cornwall Council but the major dust cloud kicked up by the May 1 election hasn’t settled yet, as the Local Democracy Service’s Lee Trewhela reports

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THE public gallery at Lys Kernow/County Hall was the most packed I've ever seen it for today’s first Cornwall Council meeting since the election. It was a bit like feeding time at the zoo but with all eyes on Reform rather than the lions.

What would their councillors do and say? The answer was not a lot but they did it in a way to make their mark. Abstaining throughout, they also pushed back on council process during one agenda item concerning equality and diversity.

Reform group leader, Councillor Rob Parsonage, revealed after the meeting that they have approached the Local Government Association (LGA) to arbitrate after the largest party on the council claimed it had been denied “any meaningful representation on council committees, including our reasonable request for a single chair position on a scrutiny committee”.

The ruling Lib Dem/Independent coalition chose its cabinet during a meeting earlier in the morning.

Its members have now been revealed as Cllr Jim McKenna (Independent), Cllr Hilary Frank (Lib Dem), Cllr Tim Dwelly (Independent), Cllr Sarah Preece (Lib Dem), Cllr Loic Rich (Independent), Cllr Peter La Broy (Independent), Cllr Dan Rogerson (Lib Dem) and Cllr Thalia Marrington (Lib Dem). Their portfolios have yet to be confirmed.

The first item on the agenda was the election of Cornwall Council's new chair and vice-chair to replace outgoing Conservatives Pauline Giles and Jordan Rowse, respectively, two of just seven Tories to keep their seats.