A FORMER leader of Herefordshire Council has slammed ongoing coalition talks as a “shambles”.

Councillor Terry James said he and his two fellow Liberal Democrat members were “not worried in the slightest” at being left out of the talks.

“You’ve got Tories pretending they want to work together but don’t and an opposition that wants change but doesn’t know what change – it’s a shambles, ” said Coun James.

The council is now tied at 29-29 and control rests with the casting vote of its Tory chairman.

It’s Our County rejected the Tory offer of a coalition and a seat at the cabinet table on Friday. The Independent group is meeting to consider its response after talks between group leader Councillor Sebastian Bowen and the council leader councillor Tony Johnson this morning.

More Independent group representation at cabinet is a key concession being asked of the Tories.