THE Labour/Liberal Democrat partnership which has run Burnley Council for the past year looks set to continue after no party gained a majority last week.
The leaders of the two parties have been in talks following Thursday's borough elections and are keen to keep it going.
If Labour boss Cllr Afrasiab Anwar and his Lib Dem counterpart Cllr Gordon Birtwistle secure agreement from the groups, it will be re-instated at the annual meeting of the council on Wednesday, May 18.
Last week's poll saw Green Party candidate Jack Launer take Cliviger-with-Worsthorne ward from the Conservatives to put up their strength to six councillors.
This cut the Tory representation to eight, on a par with the Lib Dems.
The Burnley and Padiham Independents remained on five councillors as their candidate Cllr Neil Mottershead held his Gannow ward.
This leaves Labour and the LibDems with a combined majority to run the council together.
Cllr Anwar said: "I feel the partnership has run well for the past 12 months.
"There have been no falling outs and it has delivered on the priorities of the council.
"We want to deliver stability to the residents of Burnley going forward.
"This seems the way to do it.
"I have spoken to the Lib Dem leader and at the moment I feel continuing the partnership is the way forward.
"But I will have to ask our group meeting this week if they agree."
Cllr Birtwistle said: "I think I agree with Cllr Anwar.
"I think it has been a successful partnership but I will have to speak to the Liberal Democrat group.
"I think we have done a good job delivering for the people and I would personally like it to continue.
"There has not been much change to the council in the elections and I think the partnership will probably remain."
The Labour group is understood to have also had discussions with the Greens about joining any coalition.
Cllr Alan Hosker, leader of the Conservative group, said: "If that is what Labour and the Lib Dems want to do, I have no comment to make."
Under the partnership deal established in May 2021, Lib Dem Cllr Margaret Lishman took one of the five seats on the Labour-dominated ruling executive.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here