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".

"This blatant exclusion ensures Reform UK has no ability to influence decisions or deliver the change our voters demanded."

He added that Reform councillors abstaining from many of the votes was because they are new to the roles and didn't know the members nominated for the leading council positions, and it was the "appropriate way forward".

As the new council assembled there was a sense of unease in the chamber and a palpable feeling of nerves among many of the councillors, many of whom have never partaken in any form of council meeting before.

For those of us used to the familiarity of the Conservative cabinet sitting on the right of the chamber, it took a moment to get used to this totally new formation.

The cabinet seats were left empty throughout the meeting, which was barely an hour long - new councillors are in for a shock when the unerring tedium of six-hour meetings kicks in.

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