THE political future of Stockton Borough Council is expected to be decided next week - with an announcement which could see the ruling Labour group kicked out of office.

Opposition groups have been in talks this week over plans for a coalition to seize control of the authority.

Following last week's council elections, Labour, which held marginal power before the vote, won 27 seats, with their opponents - Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Independents - sharing 29 seats between them.

Ken Lupton, the newly-elected leader of the Tories, which would be the largest group in a coalition, with 12 seats, said an announcement would be made early next week on a power-sharing agreement.

Councillor Lupton said: "We're still in negotiations with the other group leaders, and before those have been completed it would be wrong of me to confirm anything."

However, current council leader Bob Gibson said it would be a mistake for the opposition groups to seize control of the authority from Labour.

Coun Gibson, who was re-elected leader of the Labour group following last week's result, said: "This is an authority with a £200m budget, and yet many of these opposition councillors have very little experience of cabinet posts.

"I think it would be silly of them, and potentially harmful to the borough, if they form a coalition just for the sake of taking power."

In the election, the Liberal Democrats won eight seats, the Ingleby Barwick Independent Society gained six and Thornaby Independent Association (TIA) secured three.

Only six years ago, Labour had 38 seats, more than three times that of their nearest rivals, the Conservatives.

Former Labour Councillor Steve Walmsley, the leader of the TIA, said he was keen to have a say in any coalition.

Mr Walmsley, who was re-elected last week for the TIA for the Mandale and Victoria ward, and has been involved in a bitter feud with the Labour group over the past two years, said: "Because the margins are so small all the different political groups have a role to play. It remains to be seen what will happen."