THE leadership of Southend Council still hangs in the balance after this year’s local elections.

Southend Council was run by a Conservative-led minority administration before voters had their say on Thursday.

But with Labour failing to secure a majority despite becoming the largest party on the council with 20 seats, talks over the future of the city council’s administration are still ongoing.

Daniel Cowan, leader of the Labour group, said: “We’re having discussions with other groups about what our shared visions and values are for Southend and where we can find some agreement for a way forward for the city.”

The Echo understands a decision is expected to be made “by Wednesday or Thursday”.

As the largest party on the 51-seat council, Labour could team up with the four Liberal Democrats and any of the seven members of the Independent group to once again form a Labour-led coalition.

The Green Party now has two seats on the council after Stuart Allen snatched a seat from the Lib Dems in Leigh.

The Tories lost 41 seats across south Essex, including 12 in Basildon, eight in Castle Point, five in Rochford, and 12 in Thurrock – the only council in south Essex where Labour managed to secure a majority.