Control of Carlisle City Council yet to be decided

However, whatever the final make-up, every single councillor now has only a year until they face re-election.

This is due to new boundary changes set to come into force next May, and likely to see the total number of seats drop.

The latest elections took place last Thursday night. As the city council currently elects in thirds, it meant that 17 of the authority's total 52 seats were up for grabs this time around.

Before the election, Labour held 26 seats on the council, the Conservatives held 21, there was one Liberal Democrat and four Independents.

In the end, only one seat changed hands - with Labour losing Yewdale to Conservative candidate Robert Currie by 91 votes.

It means Labour continues to hold the most seats, with 25, but does not have the 27 needed to control the council.

It is now expected that Labour will enter into discussions with the Independent group to see if a pact can be reached, though to date no formal talks have yet taken place.

However it is also possible that the Independents could side with the Tories, or it could remain a hung council.

Colin Glover, who was re-elected as Labour group leader, said everyone has been waiting until after their own group meetings have taken place before starting any detailed negotiations.

He added: "As far as leadership of the council goes, I was elected last year for four years, or until my term in office has ended.

"Having said that, we are now a minority administration. Whether other groups want to join together and remove me from that role, that's for them to decide. In the meantime we are planning for the next 12 months and looking at how we move forward with a positive plan for the city."

John Mallinson, who continues as Conservative group leader, said it was "most likely" that Labour would join with the Independents to form a majority administration, but didn't rule out his party teaming up the Independents if both were on the same page.

"I'm always happy to talk. Anything is possible, though it's difficult to see how. In the past, the Independents have seemed predominantly supportive of the Labour administration," he said.

"I'm not interested in forming an administration unless there is some likelihood of getting our policies through."

Independent Rob Betton, who was re-elected in Botcherby despite strong efforts from Labour to clinch his seat, said there had been no discussions with either party about an alliance to date.

"I certainly haven't been contacted. I think we (the four Independent city councillors) will have to meet first and decide what would be best for the people that voted us in," he explained.

With numbers so tight, the council's lone Liberal Democrat, Trevor Allison, could have a casting vote in some future decisions.

"One more seat (for Labour or the Conservatives) would have made a big difference but I do not anticipate a big change now, unless the Independents take a stance," he said. "I tend to judge issues on their merit rather than siding with one party."

Although the elections are over, canvassing is likely continue as parties prepare to contest all seats again in 12 months time.

However this time there are likely to be far fewer city council seats available, with the total expected to drop from 52 to 39.

Mr Glover said they are still not sure exactly what the new boundaries will look like, as the first consultation has only just closed.

He said a definite proposal is expected to be made public by the Boundary Commission in August, followed by further consultation, with the final boundaries agreed by the end of the year.

"We are expecting the elections will be the first Thursday in May 2019, so it makes it a very challenging timetable," he said.

"That said, the worst thing we could do is put the city on pause, waiting for the next election. There are so many great things happening, we really want to push ahead with those and come the new boundaries, people will be able to have their say.

"We've always said our priorities are good quality jobs, infrastructure and green spaces. It's a really important time."

Mr Mallinson said he felt the new boundaries would be a real opportunity for his party to regain control of the council, however he said they wouldn't just spend the next year playing party politics.

"It's difficult to see how it wouldn't be a better balanced council. We have inner city wards now with three Labour members but a smaller electorate than some of the rural wards with only two," he said.

"I am optimistic that we will have a good case to put to the electorate next year. It will be on our minds, but business will go on. We will continue to oppose the administration if we think it appropriate, but equally we will support them if we agree with their policies.

"We do have concerns about some of their (Labour's ) flagship plans and will be calling them to account on those issues."

The new council will meet for the first time on Monday, May 21.

Carlisle City Council has four new faces following the latest elections.

All of them were elected in seats were the previous councillor was standing down - Currock, Harraby, Upperby and Yewdale.

The remaining 13 wards saw their existing councillors re-elected.

The four new councillors include Conservative Robert Currie, who took the Yewdale seat from Labour after a close count.

It comes after previous councillor Steven Bowditch stood down.

Labour's new faces include Sue Crawford, who won the Currock seat. She takes over from long-serving councillor and former executive member Heather Bradley, who decided not to stand again.

Paul Carrigan retained the Harraby seat for Labour, previously held by Robert Burns, while Dave Graham made sure his party once again secured Upperby, taking over from David Wilson.