NEGOTIATIONS to resolve the deadlock over Wirral’s hung council appeared to be no closer last night – and unlikely to be sorted out very soon.

Liberal Democrat leader Simon Holbrook, whose party has the balance of power, was yesterday trying to return from a trip to Dublin, but had been grounded by the volcanic ash cloud which has caused chaos at British airports again.

Cllr Holbrook’s party has 15 seats on the council, on which no party has overall control. Any group controlling the council needs 34 out of the 66 available seats to have a majority.

Following the local elections, the Conservatives increased their number of seats to 27 and are the largest party, with Labour on 24 seats.

Cllr Holbrook said he was hopeful of returning by late last night – although he was “very disappointed” he would miss one of the key events of the council year, the Mayor-making ceremony.

He said he was aware of mounting speculation about what his party would decide, but said: “The council does not need a decision until next Monday, and we will take our time and weigh up the options and the best interests of the people of Wirral. We will not be rushed into any decision.”

Wirral’s councillors are due to meet next Monday to elect a council leader, and Cllr Holbrook insisted his party would negotiate privately with the other parties.

Tory leader Jeff Green said he was still waiting to meet with the Lib-Dems over their offer, and his party hoped to emulate the deal which had been done nationally between Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

He said the Conservatives had offered to have formal talks with the Lib-Dems and hoped to compare programmes from the two parties respective manifestos before then progressing on to “personnel and roles”.