The Green Party, Liberal Democrats and an Independent get set to run East Suffolk Council

East Suffolk Council is likely to be run by a group with Greens, Liberal Democrats and one Independent, which aims to ‘put residents before petty politics’.

The GLI group was officially formed this Tuesday – with 28 councillors out of the 55-member authority. After the elections on May 5.

The Conservatives, who ran the council before the elections, have 15 councillors and Labour have 12.

Green Cllr Caroline Topping, newly-elected GLI leader who represents Beccles and Worlingham, said: “I am humbled and honoured that the group has elected me as their leader.

“I am really excited by the diverse talent and enthusiasm of the GLI Members, and I am confident they will prioritise the residents of East Suffolk.

“It is going to be an interesting and exciting four years”.

The council’s leadership and cabinet will be officially decided by majority vote at a full council meeting next Wednesday.

East Suffolk had a GLI group before the election, which was led by Southwold Liberal Democrat Cllr David Beavan – the new group’s deputy leader.

Cllr Beavan said: “The people of East Suffolk have clearly voted for a new council which will put them before petty party politics.

“We have thrashed out a four-year agreement with the Greens and East Suffolk Council’s only Independent Councillor to work together and rise to the many challenges facing our communities.

“There may be compromises, but that is how life works.

“I am really excited to be part of this groundbreaking project with a commitment to net zero carbon emissions at its centre”.