Talks begin over new leadership of Worthing Borough Council

Political group leaders at Worthing Borough Council have begun discussions to determine which parties will form the administration for the coming year after no single group secured overall control in the local elections.

Council officers are facilitating talks between the leaders of the different political groups following the elections, which saw no party reach the 19 seats required for a majority. The council said it hopes an agreement on the administration for 2026 and 2027 can be reached in the coming days.

Of the 13 seats contested in the elections, six were won by the Greens, five by Reform UK, one by Labour and one by the Liberal Democrats. The council is now made up of 15 Labour councillors, eight Greens, six Conservatives, five Reform UK members, two Worthing Community Independents and one Liberal Democrat.

The Greens and Worthing Community Independents have since formed a new group called the Green and Independent Alliance. Full council is due to meet on May 19 to elect a new council leader and mayor.

Full results from the local elections can be found here.