With Conservatives now holding the greatest number of seats, but not a majority, the Tories' leader has invited cooperation to form an Isle of Wight Council administration.
After Thursday's elections, the Conservative group on the Island's main council lost its majority — and even its leader, Dave Stewart, failed to secure his seat, losing to the Green Party's Claire Critchison.
Out of the council's 39 seats, Conservatives hold 18.
The others are held by 13 independent, 2 Green, 2 Island Independent Network, 1 Labour, 1 Lib Dem, 1 Our Island and 1 Vectis Party councillors
On Sunday, Cllr Steve Hastings wrote to all non-Conservative councillors in his role as acting leader of the Tory group, requesting approaches to help form a working administration.
He said that convention required the leader of the largest single party, if not a majority, to lead attempts to find a way of securing a working administration.
His letter indicated a willingness to search widely for a way of taking into account a wide range of opinions in deciding future council policy.
He told other council members:
"The outcome of the election causes us to look afresh at how we might best ensure that the views and input of members from all corners of the Island are taking into account in the council's decision-making."
Cllr. Hastings gave a deadline of mid-day this Tuesday, May 10, to receive approaches from groups or individuals.
He said:
"I would value the input of other members who have experiences and insights which could be invaluable to the Council over the coming four years."
However, in making what he called an "inclusive and open-minded" call for approaches, there were elements of the Council he was not willing to change.
He indicated no willingness to move away from a Cabinet model of operation:
"Whilst I remain committed to maintaining the executive (Leader / Cabinet) model of governance which the Council has operated under for the past 20 years, there is certainly the opportunity to expand how all councillors can contribute to both policy development and effective scrutiny."
The council is scheduled to hold a meeting on May 26, at which its leader and other front-line posts are to be voted upon.
Any outcomes from such a meeting could be highly uncertain if a working cooperative agreement isn't in place.
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