23.05.16
Labour now largest group in LGA, but Conservatives retain chairmanship
The Labour group is the largest political group in the LGA following the latest local elections, but the Conservative Group will retain the chairmanship due to the way the votes are counted.
Following the recent elections and return of Sheffield City Council to LGA membership, Labour has a slender 0.07% majority over the Conservatives in the representative body for councils.
However, the results were calculated before Sheffield became a member again, when the Conservatives held 40.47% of the membership and Labour held 38.86%.
Therefore, under clause 3.3 of the LGA constitution, the Conservative Group will appoint the LGA chair for 2016-17, whilst the leader of the Labour group will be senior vice-chair.
Independents hold 10.27% of the political balance, while Liberal Democrats hold 9.4%.
The local election results showed Labour holding onto a majority of seats in England but being pushed to third place, behind the Conservatives, in the Scottish parliament elections.
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