POLITICAL control of Herefordshire Council hangs in the balance, despite a week of hectic behind-the-scenes negotiations between the various factions.

Party leaders meet this afternoon to assess the idea of a coalition cabinet. The Liberal-Democrats, Labour and some Independents are keen on the concept, but Conservatives, under new management, may yet leave opponents feeling blue.

The Tory team has ambitions of its own, and a initial 20 seat showing was boosted by one on Tuesday when John Hope, elected unopposed as an Independent councillor for Castle ward, confirmed his switch of sides.

It's been a busy seven days for the backroom brokers trying to reserve 'top table' places.

The election ended with the Lib-Dems holding 21 seats, the Tories 20, the Independents 14, Labour four and the Greens one.

Lib-Dem leader Terry James then proposed a power share pact. Under this arrangement an all-party administration would control the council through a coalition cabinet.

His Labour counterpart Chris Chappell likes the idea, and Don Rule, new head of the Independent Group, said a majority of his members were also in favour.

The Tories, however, prefer to play the long game. They turned their fortunes around to take 40 per cent of the vote, topple two cabinet members and miss three wards by the narrowest of margins.

At Hagley, Nick Howells reduced a 270 Lib Dem majority to just 19. Catherine Fothergill missed Leominster East & South by 18 votes, and Arthur Staton failed in Three Elms by only 15.

Talk of Tories taking charge has been tempered by new group leader Olwyn Barnett. She said there would be no commitment to any opportunity until all options had been examined. This afternoon's meeting at Brockington will outline exactly what is involved in creating the 'coalition cabinet'.

Group leaders will then put the matter to members for decision, with the outcome expected sometime next week.