Lib Dems call for cross-group Cornwall Council administration

The Liberal Democrats were the largest winners in the election, gaining 36 out of 123 seats

Liberal Democrats on Cornwall Council say they are contacting all other groups on the authority in a bid to form a cross-group administration following last week's local elections.

The Lib Dems are the largest group with 36 out of 123 seats, after having previously been in opposition.

They said they wanted to build a "partnership for Cornwall".

Of the larger groups now on the unitary authority, there are 35 independent councillors and 31 Conservatives.

The previous administration had been Conservative-Independent led.

The re-elected leader of the Tory group, Fiona Ferguson, said that, although they were still open to discussions, she felt any so-called "rainbow coalition" was unlikely to be practical.

Others on the council include six Labour members, six from UKIP, four from Mebyon Kernow, two Labour and Co-operative Party members, two councillors declared as "unspecified", and one Green.