Partnership Agreement Talks to Take Place

6.15.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Jun 2007

The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats (Councillors Steve Darling and Ian Doggett) will be meeting with the Conservative Mayor Nick Bye and the Leader of the Conservative Group Cllr Carroll, to discuss whether a Partnership Agreement can be agreed upon. If a Partnership Agreement can be reached, then the Liberal Democrats would have a place on the Council's cabinet.

The Partnership Agreement would include policies that both parties would want to achieve over the term of the partnership.

There are several local authorities across the Country where partnership agreements are in place, including Newcastle under Lyme and Camden.

Councillor Steve Darling said, "Following the local elections we held a useful meeting with the Conservative Mayor. He indicated that he wished to have a Liberal Democrat Councillor on the Cabinet.

"The Liberal Democrat Group want to have a grown up written arrangement with the Mayor and his Conservative administration. This will ensure that both parties achieve the policies they want, and make sure that there are no misunderstandings and everyone knows what they are doing.

"I very much look forward to a positive meeting with the Mayor and his Conservative colleagues tomorrow."