A power vacuum at the head of Cumbria County Council has prompted all committee meetings to be cancelled for the next month.

The decision to call off the gatherings, where decisions can be made on services, is the latest fall-out from local elections held earlier this month.

Following the election on May 4, no party was left in overall control of the council.

But the authority has stressed that it will still be making key decisions where necessary.

After the elections the Conservatives were left holding the most seats, at 37.

Labour, which had been in coalition with the Liberal Democrats, saw its number of seats fall from 26 to 36.

The Lib Dems gained one seat, moving from 15 to 16.

Cumbria County Council’s annual general meeting was postponed last week and will continue on June 29, by which time it is hoped an agreement over who will lead the council will have been made.

At the meeting, the council will also elect its new chairman and vice chairman.

A spokesman said that Stewart Young, leader of the Labour group, remains leader of the council – but that any decisions must be made following discussions with Conservative leader James Airey and Ian Stewart, who recently replaced Patricia Bell as leader of the Liberal Democrats.

In the meantime, any emergency decisions can be made by chief executive Katherine Fairclough.

The spokesman said: “All the meetings have been deferred until July and it’s been agreed that items for discussion in June will be added to those agendas.”


Stewart Young Mr Young said that discussions between the parties have also been put on hold until after the General Election on June 8.

“There aren’t any committees at the moment and so therefore no meetings will take place,” he said.

“The annual general meeting last week only lasted about 10 minutes and was postponed until June 29.

“No further discussions will take place until after the General Election.

“However, I am still leader of the council and will be making decisions, in discussion with the leaders of the other parties.

“Emergency decisions will be made by the chief executive.”

Mr Airey, who is standing as the Conservative candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale in the election, added: “There aren’t any talks taking place at the minute.

“It was made quite clear following the county council election that everything would be put on hold until after June 8.

“Any decisions that need to be made will still be discussed by the three groups.”

Mr Stewart said: “At the moment we’re focused on getting as many votes as possible for the Liberal Democrats in the General Election and that’s where our priorities are. The AGM was adjourned and discussions will take place after the election.”