Labour remain in control after Greens abstain

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st May 2009

Labour cling on to power

At the city council's annual meeting on Tuesday, the Labour Party held on to power after another Green Party abstention. The Liberal Democrat group voted against Labour; however, the Greens, the second largest party, abstained from the vote meaning Labour secured enough votes to continue in power.

Brian Watkins, Liberal Democrat leader, said: "With all the criticism we have made of the Labour administration, particularly with regards Greyhound Opening and the Audit Commission's critical report on the landlord services, it would have been strange had we not made a protest.

"We cannot possibly have the confidence to support this minority administration and we wanted to register our disappointment in what Labour are doing."

Full Vote on Labour forming the administration:

For - Labour Group

Against - Liberal Democrat and Conservative Groups

Abstain - Green Group

The vote follows the Green Party's decision to abstain on the Labour budget in February, a budget that saw an inflation busting 3.85% Council Tax rise for Norwich residents.

Over the last year, the Labour administration has presided over the Greyhound Opening housing scandal and an embarrassing zero-star rating for the council´s housing services.