The Liberal Democrats and independent councillors have taken control of Cornwall Council after weeks of uncertainty.
Adam Paynter, the leader of the Lib Dem group and the councillor for Launceston North and North Petherwin, has been elected as the new council leader.
Mr Paynter was proposed by the Independent group leader Andrew Mitchell, and seconded by Malcolm Brown, the Lib Dem member for St Austell Bethel.
No single group took overall political control following the elections on 4 May leading to over two weeks of uncertainty.
The new council is made up of an alliance of Independent and Liberal Democrat groups.
‘I will lead by example to ensure that we balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community,’ said Mr Paynter.
‘I will be accessible and transparent. I will act with honesty and integrity. I will build on the ambition of the previous council to "close the gap" for residents - to improve their life opportunities.’
Mr Painter said he wanted to increase funding for adult social care, and he pledged ‘in excess’ of £200m to build 1000 council homes.
‘We live in difficult financial times and I will ensure we utilise our finances as well as possible, I will lead a robust fairer funding campaign. I will also continue to seek to do things differently in order to preserve services,’ he added.
