URGENT behind the scenes talks are going on in the wake of the Independents' rout of the Tory old guard' on West Somerset council.
Following last week's election success by the Independents, which saw them take 16 council seats - more than half - to the Tories' 13, the race is on to decide who will stand for the positions of leader, deputy leader, chairman and vice chairman in time for the annual meeting of the council next Wednesday.
Keith Ross, who retained his Dulverton and Brushford seat for the Independents, and who is in the running to be leader of the new-look council, told the County Gazette the ruling Independent group would not be whipped.
He said: "I want to move away from negative adversarial politics.
"Our job will be to to make sure the people of West Somerset get the best deal out of the future."
See tomorrow's County Gazette for an update on this story.
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