A ‘RAINBOW’ alliance will lead the Forest Council following the recent elections– with the Labour Party at the top table for the first time.

Between 2017 and the elections earlier this month, the council was run by a coalition of Independents, Greens and UKIP with Labour generally supportive of the administration in votes.

Two Labour members are now on the eight-strong Cabinet, which is led by Berry Hill Independent Alliance councillor Tim Gwilliam.

Cllr Bernie O’Neill (Ruspidge) takes on the finance, business support and jobs portfolio, and Cllr Di Martin (Cinderford East) is responsible for housing, town and parish councils, and town centre development.

Also new to the Cabinet is Green councillor Sid Phelps of Lydbrook, who is the member for environment, wildlife, heritage and culture.

There are also two Independent Alliance members from Bream – Cllr Paul Hiett, who is deputy leader and whose brief includes governance, sport leisure and tourism, the arts and communities, while Cllr Richard Leppington is in charge of development, asset management, infrastructure and the Forest Economic Partnership.

St Briavels Green councillor Chris McFarling is responsible for planning policy, governance, shared working and climate emergency.

The chairman of the council – who is in charge of the full council’s monthly meetings – is Lydney East Independent Alliance councillor James Bevan and his deputy is Independent councillor Clive Elsmore of Cole-ford.

Cllr Gwilliam said: “Every one of those are in the role because they are the best person for the job, not the colour of their rosette.”