THE new leader of Colchester Council has vowed to work with all political parties “with a common shared view of what’s good for the borough”.

David King (Lib Dem) was confirmed as leader of a new administration, made up of representatives from the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Green party.

Mr King and his new cabinet were voted in at a meeting of the full council.

In May’s local elections, the Liberal Democrats gained three seats and Labour scooped two, taking their respective total seats to 14 and 13.

The Green Party also won a seat in Castle ward, taking its total up to three seats and completing a full set in the ward.

Adam Fox (Lab) will be deputy leader of an eight strong cabinet made up of of Pam Cox (Lab) as culture and heritage boss, Steph Nissen (Green) for environment and sustainability and Julie Young (Lab) for housing and communities.

Martin Goss (Lib Dem) will lead neighbourhood services and waste, Mark Cory (Lib Dem) is the new resources boss and Andrea Luxford-Vaughan (Lib Dem) takes the planning and infrastructure role.

The Conservatives were left with 19 seats on the council following the election earlier this month.

Darius Laws, leader of the Conservative group, told the meeting: “Councillor King is an accomplished man and I really like him personally.

“I’m sure he will do a very good job.”

But Mr Laws said he “could not support him” in his new role in large part due to his move to increase the size of the cabinet.

He said: “The last administration operated with just six, so on day one he is increasing the tax burden to local residents.”

Mr King said: “I know where the mandate comes from for the new administration, it’s come from the voters.

“Thanks to my party, for the political parties alongside me for agreeing to work together for the benefit of Colchester, my thanks to councillor Laws and colleagues across the chamber.

“The best work is done together with the grain of a common shared view of what’s good for Colchester.

“My pledge to this chamber is to act in the spirit the former mayor described.

“I am a representative of you all, I will be available to you all as best I can.”