What next for East Suffolk Council following Tory losses?

With no party having an overall majority at the authority, talks are due to be held in the coming days.

After last week's elections, the final make up of the council was Green 16, Conservative 15, Labour 12, Lib Dem 11 and independent one.

The Greens, Liberal Democrats, independent councillor and Labour are likely to hold meetings over potentially forming a coalition to run the council, which had been under Conservative control.

As the Greens ended up as the single largest party, they are some way short of the 28 councillors needed to have a majority on the 55-seat authority.

Speaking after last Friday's election count at Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft, Southwold councillor David Beavan - who represents the Liberal Democrats - said meetings would be held between the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Labour to discuss forming a coalition to run the council.

Caroline Topping from East Suffolk Green group. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Green councillor Caroline Topping has now said they would be "talking to" the Liberal Democrats and independent councillor - Saxmundham's John Fisher.

The Greens, Lib Dems and Mr Fisher would have a majority of one - but they might also invite Labour, which has 12 councillors, to join a "rainbow coalition."

With the first full council meeting since the election to be held on May 24 at East Suffolk House, Ms Topping said: "One thing's sure - we will have agreed on the way forward by the time we meet for the first time on May 24."

Jess Asato with Labour Party members. Picture: abour Party (Image: Waveney Labour Group)

Reacting to the election results this week, Jess Asato, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney, said: "The result showed that voters are increasingly putting their faith in the Labour Party in Waveney.

"Labour’s vote share was up nearly 11pc and we are celebrating three new Labour councillors elected in Gunton and St Margarets and Kessingland."