A JOINT administration is expected to continue running Colchester Council after a stale election night saw no changes.
The council’s first local elections as a city left things as they were before the night started with all parties successfully defending their seats.
A Liberal Democrat and Labour coalition is now anticipated to continue its ruling of the town hall after a 31 per cent turnout determined the results in the early hours of Friday.
The Conservative group remains the majority party with 19 seats, closely followed by the Lib Dems and Labour with 15 each and the Green Party with two.
Council leader David King (Lib Dem) revealed he hopes to retain his grip on the top seat but said conversations will take place over the weekend.
He said: “I hope to carry on but it needs a conversation within my group and our Labour colleagues to see what kind of arrangements we can come to.
“We have to have a discussion about how to carry it forward but I hope we will all see continuity.”
Labour boss Chris Pearson confirmed he is prepared to continue the partnership with his Lib Dem counterparts after keeping his seat in Berechurch.
But he admitted some antics from the yellow side during their canvassing would need to be forgotten after a leaflet circulated in Highwoods claimed “we do not trust Labour to run a council”.
“I think we will bury some of the hatchets that have been thrown in the prior weeks for the benefit of the people of Colchester,” said Mr Pearson.
A relieved Green Party leader Mark Goacher is looking to put a “nightmare” year behind him after winning in the hotly-contested Castle ward.
The history teacher fought off competition from former cabinet member Simon Crow by securing 1,374 votes.
It follows a year which saw him briefly leave the local Green Party amid infighting which saw him return a short while later and Castle counterpart Steph Nissen defect to Labour.
Mr Goacher said: “I am very pleased with the result, very relieved. It shows in Castle ward there is a lot of enthusiasm, not just for Greens but for progressive politics.
“We are now looking at ways we can build on the successes we have had here.”
Elsewhere, a familiar face will return to the town hall as former leader Paul Dundas (Con) romped home in Tiptree with 1,329 votes.
It follows a dramatic series of events last May which saw him ousted from his premiership of the council just one year after taking on the role.
“I suppose I did miss it,” he admitted. “I had the opportunity, I was asked if I would be interested and I thought ‘Why not?’. I don’t know if I’ll regret it.”
Mr Dundas, who represented Stanway during his last stint in council, added: “Tiptree is much closer to where I grew up so it is more my area.
“It is a really nice place and I feel quite fortunate to represent it. I couldn’t say no.”
Colchester mayor Tim Young (Lab) surprised nobody by keeping his grip on his Greenstead seat by more than 700 votes.
Lesley Scott-Boutell (Lib Dem) will now begin the first steps of her own mayoral career as she is set to become deputy later this month after retaining her Stanway seat.
Meanwhile, Alison Jay (Lib Dem) kept her hands on Highwoods and Lewis Barber (Con) maintained his spot in the Tory stronghold of Lexden and Braiswick.
Wivenhoe stalwart Mark Cory (Lib Dem) said he was “very pleased” to continue representing the community after securing the night’s highest votes total of 2,083.
“I know my residents really well and they know me really well. It is a nice bit of respect that they gave me such a significant vote,” he said.
“I think stability is good. We’ve run the council well and this is a mark to say ‘Well done, keep going’.”
Sam McLean (Lab) kept his New Town and Christ Church seat one year after being initially elected while Mersea mayor Carl Powling (Con) won in Mersea.
Conservative newcomer Phoebe Butcher failed to beat the Lib Dems in Mile End after Venessa Moffat secured 1,624 votes.
Postwoman Fay Smalls (Lab) will succeed ex-Labour leader Adam Fox in Old Heath and the Hythe after the latter stood down from his role.
And in the closest result of the night, Leigh Tate (Con) clung onto her Prettygate seat by just 22 votes after a tense recount.
Natalie Sommers stepped up for the Lib Dems in St Anne’s and St John’s after veteran Helen Chuah retired from local politics.
While in Shrub End, Sam McCarthy (Lib Dem) will enjoy another four years at the helm.
Thomas Rowe (Con) was delighted to have been elected in the Tory safe haven of Rural North after several failed attempts.
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