'We need a new way of doing politics' as new era begins at county hall
It's the first big meeting of the new-look Devon County Council today
The new Lib Dem leader on Devon County Council has called for all parties to work together - as a new era starts later at county hall,
It's the council's first big meeting since the local elections, after the Lib Dems won the most seats but they don't have a majority.
The Lib Dems will need other parties to support them if they're going to get policies voted through as they have 27 of the 31 needed for overall control.
Councillor Julian Brazil said: “The mood music I’m getting from our group is that we don’t want a formal sharing agreement among parties, and I support that.
"If we’re making the right decisions members should vote with us. It’s a new way of doing politics, but it’s a much more mature and developed way of doing things. If we have compromise among 60 members we will make better decisions for the council.
“I want councillors to vote for what’s best for their community; that leads to better decisions and a better council. Everyone should feel they have a voice and have the opportunity to be influential – that’s the culture I want to engender here at the County Council. It’s good to have a mix of views and beliefs to be truly representative of the communities we serve."