EXETER’S Labour leader has been accused of blowing a chance to change the way the city is run in favour of “limping on” as a minority administration.

The Labour group emerged from the recent city council elections as the largest party, despite losing an overall majority, and has decided against forming a co-operative administration with the council’s Greens, Lib Dems and Independents.

Council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) said: “We are the largest group and I remain as leader. We’ve appointed a new cabinet, and we have a big year ahead.”

But Cllr Diana Moore (Green, St Davids), who leads the second-largest party group on the council, said Labour was “a tired administration clinging on to control”.

Following the elections there are 18 Labour councillors, 10 Greens, five Lib Dems, three from Reform UK, two Independents and a single Conservative.

At a meeting of the full council, Cllr Bialyk confirmed his own position as leader and appointed six Labour colleagues to form his cabinet, saying: “These are important roles. I have picked the team, and it’s a new and refreshed team. I believe they will do a good job for me and the city.

“As Exeter moves towards major local government change, it is important the city continues to have a strong voice, stability and continuity during the transition to future unitary council arrangements.”

But Cllr Moore said residents were disappointed at a “desperate attempt to cling on to control”. She said the Greens had secured more actual votes than Labour when the city went to the polls, but their suggestion of a cross-party administration had been rejected.

She said: “Residents sent a clear message that they want change and will have reasonably expected our increased number of Green councillors to play an active role in the leadership of the council.

“A co-operative administration involving Greens, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Independents would be a fairer and more effective solution for Exeter, but instead, Labour have chosen to limp on as a minority administration.

“Labour are out of favour and out of ideas – a tired administration clinging to control.”

Cllr Bialyk’s new executive comprises himself as leader; Cllr Ruth Williams (Lab, Mincinglake and Whipton) as deputy leader; Cllr Liz Pole (Lab, Mincinglake and Whipton) for climate and ecological change and communities and customer services; Cllr Yvonne Atkinson (Lab, Alphington) for housing and homelessness prevention; Cllr Duncan Wood (Lab, Pinhoe) for leisure services, healthy living and public realm management; Cllr Susannah Patrick (Lab, Exwick) for city development and Cllr Lucy Findlay (Lab, Alphington) for culture and the city centre.