HULL: Liberal Democrats keep control in city as Labour makes Lincolnshire gains

THE Liberal Democrats were given some cheer after their disappointing results in the General Election by retaining control of Hull Council – but found themselves facing a power-sharing administration in North East Lincolnshire after Labour gained six seats.

The Liberal Democrats lost four seats in North East Lincolnshire and the Tories one, leaving both parties deadlocked on 15 seats each, and Labour up to 10 seats overall. Andrew De Freitas, who has led a minority Liberal Democrat administration in the borough for the last year, said his group would now hold talks with the other parties to find the best way forward.

He said: "We will talk to the Labour group and put our cards on the table. The last thing we need is an unstable situation for the local authority.

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"We need to move forward so that we continue to provide decent front-line services. I don't expect we will have sweeping changes."

In Hull, the Liberal Democrats lost one seat to leave them with 33, an 11-seat majority over Labour, who gained two.

The North, East and West Independents lost one of their three seats, while the Tories retained their two, John Abbott joining Tory group leader John Fareham in the Bricknell ward, following the resignation of Andrew Percy, who took the Brigg and Goole seat for the party in the General Election.

Hull Council leader Carl Minns said: "Labour has pushed us hard but the important thing is to come out the other side with a majority.

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"It's good for the group and a vote of confidence in what we have done in the council."

Labour group leader Steve Brady, said: "It shows that we are on the up and we need to show that we are unified as a group with the aim of taking control as soon as possible."