PENDLE Council leader Alan Davies undertook his first role as chairman of the Executive last night after two weeks of speculation over whether he would resign as leader.

But he led a committee consisting of Labour councillors Frank Clifford, Colin Waite and Gary Rowland and Conservative councillors Sheila Derwent, Tony Beckett and Rosemary Carroll.

The Liberal Democrats refused to nominate anyone to the Executive at the annual meeting because their choice of political make-up had not been voted in.

Coun Davies has now called for a special council meeting next month to discuss the matter.

At last night's meeting he invited Liberal Democrat councillors David Whipp, John David and David Clegg to sit round the table to join in discussion on agenda items but they were not allowed to vote.

Coun Davies again attempted to gain a 5-3-2 set-up later in the meeting when it was agreed to set up a working group to receive updates on the Housing Market Renewal Initiative in Pendle.

His proposal was out voted by a proposal by Coun Frank Clifford to again have a 4-3-3 set-up on the group similar to the Executive -- consisting of four Liberal Democrats, three Labour and three Conservatives.

Coun Davies said he felt 5-3-2 would fairly represent the voters wishes.