Cross Party Alliance to lead West Sussex County Council

A cross-party alliance has taken control of West Sussex County Council following local elections which left the authority under no overall control for the first time in almost 30 years. Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, Labour and Councillor Donna Johnson of the Local Alliance, Selsey, agreed to work together on May 22 to form a new administration.

Councillor Jay Mercer, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, has been appointed council leader, with Councillor Sam Raby serving as deputy leader. The alliance holds 36 of the council’s 70 seats, made up of 23 Liberal Democrats, seven Greens, five Labour councillors and one Local Alliance councillor. The Conservatives now hold 11 seats, while Reform UK has 23 and will remain in opposition.

The alliance leaders said they would focus on stable leadership, public services and collaboration during a period of local government reorganisation.

Councillor Donna Johnson was elected chairwoman of the council, with Councillor Nigel Dennis appointed vice-chairman. The group said it had signed a memorandum of understanding setting out shared priorities and plans for how the council will operate over the next two years.