A Labour and Liberal Democrat joint administration has taken control of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council after the Conservatives lost their majority at the May elections.

In an historic election in the borough, the Tories lost four seats and majority control for just the second time since 2002, while  the Lib Dems gaining two seats to take their total to 14, and Labour gaining the same number to take them to 12.

The combined 26 seats allows the joint administration, which was agreed on Friday and will be officially confirmed at an Annual Council Meeting on Monday, control of WHBC.

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Welwyn Hatfield Times: Cllr Paul Zukowskyj will now lead WHBC.Cllr Paul Zukowskyj will now lead WHBC. (Image: Archant)

Lib Dem councillor Paul Zukowskyj will lead the council, replacing Tony Kingsbury.

"I am delighted to work in partnership through the new joint administration and address the priorities of our local communities, whilst driving the council’s climate change agenda forward," said Cllr Zukowskyj.

Labour Cllr Lynn Chesterman, who will be deputy leader, added: "We are committed to achieving the best outcomes for all of our communities and we firmly believe our new joint administration will help us achieve this."

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Members of the council cabinet will be as follows:

  • Cllr Paul Zukowskyj - leader of the council and executive member for climate change
  • Cllr Lynn Chesterman – deputy leader of the council and executive member for housing
  • Cllr Sandreni Bonfante – executive member for environmentCllr James Broach – executive member for governance
  • Cllr Max Holloway – executive member for leisure and community
  • Cllr Duncan Jones – executive member for resources
  • Cllr Jane Quinton – executive member for planning