Labour takes control of Birmingham City Council

Labour has taken overall control of Birmingham City Council, ending eight years of Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition rule in the country's largest local authority.

The results of the local elections held on 3 May gave Labour enough gains to win a majority on the council. One third of the council's seats were up for election.

A change of leadership

Sir Albert Bore, the leader of the Labour group, is expected to become leader of the council for the second time, having previously led it between 1999 and 2004.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition has run the council since 2004, when Labour lost control. It was led by the Conservative Mike Whitby.

A national trend

Labour's gains in Birmingham reflect a strong night for the party across the country, as voters gave their verdict on the coalition government in Westminster, two years after the 2010 general election. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both lost hundreds of councillors across England.

The results come at a time of deep cuts to local government funding, and the new administration will face difficult decisions about the council's budget.

No to an elected mayor

On the same day, voters in Birmingham were asked in a referendum whether they wanted a directly elected mayor to run the city, instead of a leader chosen by councillors. They voted no, so the city will continue to be led by a leader chosen by the council.

The challenges ahead

The new Labour administration will inherit a council facing major challenges. Government funding is being cut, demand for adult social care and children's services is rising, and the council is facing a large bill for equal pay claims brought by thousands of former and current staff.

Birmingham's children's services have been repeatedly criticised by inspectors, and improving them is expected to be one of the new leadership's priorities.

A big council

With 120 councillors and a population of more than a million, Birmingham City Council is the largest local authority in Europe. It is responsible for services ranging from schools and social care to bin collections, libraries and parks.

What happens next

The new leader will be formally elected at the council's annual meeting later this month, when the new Lord Mayor will also take office. Sir Albert is expected to set out his priorities in the coming weeks, including plans for jobs, housing and the city's economy.

The coalition's supporters point to the regeneration of the city centre during its time in charge, including the building of the new Library of Birmingham, now under construction in Centenary Square, and the rebuilding of New Street station. Labour says it will focus on tackling unemployment and inequality in the city's poorest neighbourhoods.