A newly formed group of Independents has linked up with the Green Party and Liberal Democrats in a bid to develop a coalition to run Birmingham City Council.
Together, the three groups hold 38 seats, still 13 shy of the 51 seats needed to hold a majority on the local authority. But it is a major step forward following a fractured election outcome which left no party in overall control of the council, the biggest unitary authority in the country.
The leaders of the three groups spoke out following the first meeting of the new-look council after the May 7 elections.
In a joint statement, the three groups said they were 'committed to come together for a safer, greener and fairer city.' They said: 'Following (Tuesday night's) council meeting, we understand there are still many questions about the council's leadership. As leaders of the Green, Liberal Democrat, and Better Birmingham groups, we are making clear our commitment to come together for a safer, greener and fairer city. We are working to create a sustainable administration to serve Birmingham's residents. We call on other councillors who share our aim of a fairer city to support us.'
They added: 'We are working hard to finalise an agreement soon, so we can give the leadership the council and the city deserve.'
The Greens are the second biggest group on the council, with 19 seats, and are led by Julien Pritchard, with deputy Kamel Hawwash. The Liberal Democrats hold 12 seats and are led by Roger Harmer, with deputy Deborah Harries.
The Better Birmingham Independent Group is made up of seven of the 13 non-party-affiliated councillors who were elected earlier this month. Led by Harris Khaliq, Ward End, and deputy leader Nosheen Khalid, Alum Rock, they now have the chance to be part of a governing collaboration. The others in the group are: Taj Uddin, Lozells; Abdul Chaudhary, Aston; Adnan Hussain, Bordesley Green; Shaukat Mahmood, Alum Rock; and Jamil Hussain, Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East.
Meanwhile, the Local Conservatives have called for a 'stable administration' to be created over any that was the result of 'political games or...held hostage by the extremes.' Councillor Robert Alden, Birmingham Conservatives' leader, said: 'The Local Conservatives have over 180 years of collective local government experience, more than the rest of the council combined, and we are urging all groups to work together to clean up Birmingham. Trying to administer Birmingham from the extremes would cause chaos, not the stability residents deserve. The challenges facing the council are too serious for ideological experiments or political posturing.'
Reform UK, the single biggest party with 23 seats, and Labour, with 17, have both issued statements to say they do not intend to be part of any coalition and will operate from the backbenches.
