Newly-elected councillors from the Conservatives, Greens and Labour will enter formal discussions on how a new administration will be formed after no single party won a majority at last week’s election, reports James Cracknell

From left; Tory group leader Alessandro Georgiou (credit Basil Leaf Ltd), Green group leader Sarah Jons and Labour group leader Ergin Erbil (both credit Anna-Louise Adepegba) — From left; Tory group leader Alessandro Georgiou (credit Basil Leaf Ltd), Green group leader Sarah Jons, and Labour group leader Ergin Erbil (both credit Anna-Louise Adepegba)

Formal discussions between local party leaders on how a new Enfield Council administration will be formed are due to begin, the Dispatch has been told.

While the Enfield Conservatives, led by Alessandro Georgiou, ended last week’s election as the largest party at the civic centre with 31 councillors, they were one short of having a majority that would have allowed them to take immediate control of the council.

Instead, the Tories will need support from at least one other councillor to be able to form an administration – but could still be kept out of power altogether if the five new Green councillors decide to do a deal with the 27 Labour councillors led by Ergin Erbil.

The Dispatch understands that the likeliest outcome remains a minority Conservative administration led by Cllr Georgiou, with support for particular policies from the Greens, but without any kind of formal coalition.

Even if the Greens do not want to back every Conservative policy put forward, such policies could still be voted through at full council meetings if the Greens decide to abstain.

Today (Tuesday 12th) it was confirmed for the first time that the Green group on the council will be led by Sarah Jons, one of the newly-elected councillors for Enfield Lock ward.

Cllr Jons has 25 years of senior management experience at the London School of Economics, where she worked in residential housing and commercial operations.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Enfield Green Party has nominated Sarah Jons, elected to represent Enfield Lock ward on Thursday, as leader of its group of five councillors.

“Discussions between the Conservatives, Labour and the Greens are due to begin this week, facilitated by council officers, to determine how the council will be run under no overall control.

“Enfield Green Party is keen to get to work for the people of Enfield, delivering on the principles and manifesto commitments on which its councillors were elected: protecting green spaces, cleaning up our streets, improving air quality, and defending the local services residents depend on.”

The most obvious symmetry between the local Tories and Greens on council policies is their united opposition to plans for building on the Green Belt at Crews Hill and ‘Chase Park’, and to the plans by Tottenham Hotspur for a women’s training centre at Whitewebbs Park, which was controversially backed by the former Labour administration.

However, the big differences between them relate to cycle lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods, which the Conservatives promised to “rip out” in their manifesto.

Asked for his position on the upcoming talks with the Greens, Cllr Georgiou said: “As Enfield Conservatives we have received a mandate in terms of seats and votes to remove the Labour administration.

“We must also admit that the Green Party has also received the same mandate from their voters to remove the Labour Council. Between us and the Greens we have received the most seats and over 50% of the vote.

“We intend to enter these discussions in good faith but these things take time. The people of Enfield have waited 16 years to get rid of Labour so I hope that they can give us a little more time to navigate this final stage.”

Speaking at Friday’s election count regarding a potential deal with the Greens, Cllr Erbil told the Dispatch: “We are going to look at all of our options.”

While beating the Greens in terms of elected councillors, Labour finished slightly behind them in terms of vote share, gaining support from 22.8% of votes cast as opposed to 22.9% for the Greens.

If the Tories and Greens do come to an agreement on the new council administration, this could be announced imminently, but the absolute deadline for a resolution will be Wednesday, 27th May, which is the date of the annual council meeting – at which a new council leader, cabinet and mayor will all need to be chosen.

Until this date, Cllr Erbil is still technically the leader of the council, but in practice he does not have any decision-making powers.

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