A NEW council leader has been forced to give up power to opposition Labour councillors in a remarkable knife-edge vote.

Following recent by-election victories by Labour in Rossendale, the Tory-run administration had been required to consider sharing more roles on key committees with their political opponents.

The Conservatives, who retained a two-seat majority at the time, were left with no option but to engage in more power-sharing after two former council leaders, and another Tory member, departed early from a full council meeting.

Coun Duncan Ruddick, who had just been ousted as council leader in favour of Coun Tony Swain, left early, as did fellow former council leader Peter Steen, and Tory councillor Jimmy Eaton.

Councillors were given five options about how the different parties should be represented on the scrutiny management, performance and scrutiny and policy scrutiny committees, including keeping the status quo.

New council leader Tony Swain proposed an option which would have reduced the gap between the parties.

But this still left the Conservatives benefitting by 3.1 per cent, and Labour 2.8 per cent down, according to the number of seats held on the 36-strong council.

Labour leader Coun Alyson Barnes put forward an amendment, which would have cut the gap still further, with the Tories only 1.1 per cent ahead, and Labour only 0.8 per cent, on seats held.

She said: "Around 2.8 per cent is a whole person, in terms of councillors.

"What is worrying me is that winning a by-election does not give you an advantage in terms of representation."

Coun Gladys Sandiford said council procedure clearly stated that the ruling party should retain the majority of seats on the scrutiny management and performance and scrutiny committee.

She said the amendment "went against the spirit" of this policy.

Coun Barnes said the option represented the fairest distribution of seats.

The vote saw 14 for the Labour amendment, with 13 against, and three absentions, including the Liberal Democrats and Independent councillor Roland Neal.

After the vote was taken, and the Labour motion succeded, Coun Swain withdrew the Conservatives' proposal.

Coun Ruddick has since resigned from the Conservative party and become an Independent councillor.

The move technically makes Rossendale a hung council, as no party is in overall control.

Out of 36 seats the Conservatives now have 18, Labour 14, the Liberal Democrats have two and there are two Independents.