Birmingham City Council head towards no overall control in local elections
The count is still underway
As Birmingham City Council headed towards no overall control amid a five-party split, its leader during the city’s long-running bin strike, Labour’s John Cotton, urged whoever replaces him as head of the authority to push through a proposal to settle the dispute.
Speaking to the media at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena after it became clear Labour’s vote share had collapsed, Mr Cotton said his administration had made difficult decisions to bring the city’s finances back into balance.
He said: “I would encourage the next administration to build on those foundations and not to engage in acts that would take us back to some of the mistakes that have dogged Birmingham in the past.
“Around a week or so ago I set out the terms of a deal that I believe will bring these strikes to a close. Whoever occupies the leader’s chair, as I move away from it… needs to ensure they take that deal through as a priority.
“So we can bring this to a close and the people of Birmingham get the bin service they deserve.”