Monday night’s full council meeting saw the new elected councilors in Poole finalize the proposal for a hung council, with a minority Tory administration.

Cllr Elaine Atkinson was confirmed as leader of the Council and the Conservatives, as the larger group with 21 councilors, will form a minority administration and cabinet.

Cllr Elaine Atkinson said: “With the new political balance, it is important that the Council’s executive is held to account in a transparent manner. This arrangement will offer greater opportunities for this to happen. I am confident that the chairs and vice-chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees will work together on policy development for the benefit of the future of Poole.”

The Liberal Democrats, who had 18 candidates elected in the last elections, will chair five of the six Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Cllr Mike Brooke, leader of the Lib Dem group, said: “We are very pleased to have the majority of scrutiny chairs and this will give us a real opportunity not only to develop the scrutiny process within the Council but also to hold Cabinet to account. This is something I believe the people of Poole would welcome.”

The last group part of the council, Poole People, with three seats, will have six committee seats in the new administration.

As for Bournemouth Council, the line-up announced on Monday doesn’t present any surprises, with the strong Tory majority forming a cabinet and holding control of the administration.