AN important meeting which traditionally sees a leader elected to Cumbria County Council is set to be adjourned because no overall party holds political power.

The authority's annual general meeting is scheduled to go ahead at County Hall in Kendal tomorrow morning with all 84 elected members in attendance.

It usually ends with a member of the ruling party voting in a leader of the council to take the reins at the authority for the next four years.

The leader is then expected to nominate a deputy leader and announce the members who will make up the cabinet committee.

A chairman and vice-chairman should also be voted into position.

However, the Evening Mail understands the meeting will be adjourned as a formality until after the general election takes place on June 8 when an administration for the authority is likely to be formed.

The decision to postpone the formation of an administration was taken with agreement from all three parties.

A source said: "This is because of the general election and the complications this brings.

"Whatever happens has to be right for Cumbria for the next four years."

Currently, no party in Cumbria holds 43 seats on the authority – the number required to take control.

It has previously been led by a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition.

Now, the Conservatives, led by Councillor James Airey, make up the largest single party on the authority with 37 seats – up from 24.

Labour, led by Councillor Stewart Young – the most recent leader – reduced its share from 36 to 26.

The Liberal Democrat group, which elected Councillor Ian Stewart as its new leader last week, gained one seat, taking its total to 16.

Independent councillors account for a further five seats.

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