Back in the seat of power after 90 years

New council leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said it was a historic moment for the city and unveiled his vision to take Southampton forward.

His group gained control from Labour by just one vote after Independent councillor Paul Russell gave his backing just hours after Cllr Vinson promised him a Cabinet post, worth more than £7,000.

Cllr Vinson declared: "I am absolutely delighted and this is a historic moment.

"We are absolutely determined to deliver for the people of Southampton on the issues we have campaigned for."

Earlier in the day Councillor Parvin Damani was elected as the new mayor, with Independent councillor Harry Mitchell appointed as the city's sheriff.

It was his abstention at the full council meeting, along with Cllr Russell's support for the Lib Dems, that decided who would be in control of the Civic Centre's £232m budget.

Cllr Mitchell had received cross-party support in his bid to hold the title after the Liberal Democrats gave him their backing following the late withdrawal of their own candidate.

Yesterday's power struggle came after the May elections in which the Lib Dems became Southampton's largest party since the First World War, with 18 councillors compared with Labour's 16.

Cllr Vinson said after the momentous events: "We now have to work with an inherited budget and framework policies that have been laid down by the previous administration.

"Change needs to be incremental."

He revealed what his party's leadership would be focused on.

Before February's council budget setting meeting, when Labour imposed a 18.5 per cent council tax rise, the Lib Dems put forward their own spending plans that would have led to a 14.5 per cent rise.

Cllr Vinson said: "Much of our local election campaign was focused on anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood nuisance. We believe that is something people are very concerned about. That includes things like vandalism and graffiti and to the even more serious problems that affect people's personal safety.

"We need to address the state of roads and pavements.

"We need to ensure the council delivers value for money and that the services people get are high quality at the lowest achievable costs."

It was his party's pact with Cllr Paul Russell, a Labour councillor until earlier this year, that caused most controversy.

The pair met before the afternoon's full council meeting.

Cllr Russell said: "I know the policies of both the Labour party and the Lib Dems.

"I think the electorate gave a clear indication that it was time for change and the Liberal Democrats had the most number of seats."

He denied he had been paid for his vote despite being offered a Cabinet post.

"That's not something I would say," he said. I decided after looking at the policies of both groups."

Cllr Vinson said: "This is an alliance and we have always said we would be willing to work with people of good faith and ability.

"Of course we needed his support to gain control but I can assure people we would only have entered into that arrangement if we confident it would work for the good of the people."

Cllr Mitchell, a Lib Dem councillor before he quit last year, said his abstention had nothing to do with party politics or the power struggle. He added: "I felt I had to abstain and it is something I did when I was in the Liberal Democrats.

"The fact they supported me to become sheriff had no bearing on it.

"I am surprised that they have given him (Paul Russell) a Cabinet position. "

Councillor Royston Smith, deputy leader of the 12 councillor-strong Conservative party, which put forward its leader Alec Samuels to become civic chief, said: "The behaviour of some councillors has been disgraceful.

"We are pleased that we have taken no part in this and that we would never stoop to such depths."

Outgoing city leader June Bridle said she had done no deals ahead of the vote and was disgusted by the Liberal Democrats' manoeuvrings.

She said: "I actually feel slightly ashamed to be a councillor today when I see what went on. Some of the antics were disgraceful and you have to look back and say it was a day when you held your head in horror.

"I don't know what possessed Adrian Vinson to bring Paul Russell into his Cabinet."

She said she looked back over her four years in control with a sense of pride.

"I am Sotonian born and bred and I never want to live anywhere else. I think we achieved a lot. Colleagues of mine have brought forward some tremendous projects with their hard work, a lot for people to look forward to. I want to see the city keep going forward now."

WHO'S WHO IN THE CABINET:

Leader: Cllr Adrian Vinson

Communities and Regeneration: Cllr Elizabeth Mizon

Corporate Services: Cllr Norah Goss

Environment and Transport: Cllr Jill Baston

Finance: Cllr David Beckett

Health and Social Policy: Cllr Virginia Moore

Housing and Homes: Cllr Paul Russell

Leisure, Culture and Tourism: Cllr Peter Wakeford

Lifelong Learning and Training: Cllr Calvin Horner