LABOUR is poised to lead a joint Southend Council administration for the next two years after voters backed them to become the city’s largest party.

At last week’s elections, Labour took the lead with 20 councillors against the Conservatives 18. To gain control a party will need a minimum of 26 seats and once again Independents hold the balance of power.

All but one of seven Independent and four Lib Dems are aligning themselves with Labour as the party with the most votes and an announcement is said to be imminent.

The party has previously led joint administrations under Ian Gilbert and former Labour councillor Stephen George. It comes as a boundary review is underway that could change the make-up of wards.

No elections will take place in 2025 but all councillors will be up for election in 2026, meaning whoever forms the next Southend City administration will be in power for two years.

Daniel Cowan, leader of the Labour Group, said: “Discussions are ongoing and they are in a good place. The ultimate objective is to achieve the most stable administration as possible to deliver on our agreed priorities for the city.”

Martin Terry, spokesman for the Independent Group, said: “There is no formal announcement yet but our priority objective, particularly with the challenges that we have, is to have a stable administration.

“In all cases people will want to deliver for their residents which is my primary objective. There are some key issues that need to be addressed, promises we made to our electorate which I would expect to be addressed in whatever deals we do.

“We are duty bound to speak to the largest group which is the Labour Group but no final decisions have been made and announcements will be forthcoming. The most important thing is the stability of the city.”

Lib Dem leader Paul Collins, confirmed he was in negotiations with Labour, adding: “The council officers will ensure it is a signed agreement that is public and therefore binds councillors together so they know they have an administration that although it is all different parties they are working as one.

“At the moment I’m waiting for confirmation from the Labour Group that everything is acceptable and at the moment I don’t have that.”

The make-up of the new administration will have to be announced ahead of a full council meeting on May 16. Two Green Party members say they will vote on the administration at the council meeting.

Tony Cox, leader of the council, has not ruled out making a deal. He said: “I’m still leader of the council, still serving and will play that role until all discussions have happened.”