OXFORDSHIRE County Council’s new Conservative-independent alliance has sparked a mixed reaction among opposition councillors.

Members of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green groups were told of the deal yesterday morning.

Lib Dem group leader Zoe Patrick said she wasn’t surprised by the move.

She said: “It wasn’t a surprise in a sense that I had expected them to approach the independents. I would say it wasn’t unexpected, and we will have to see what happens.”

Labour group leader Liz Brighouse said her party would be taking advantage of the slim majority to get its voice heard.

She said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen, we will have to wait and see, but I think it’s going to be an interesting time.

“We will be making sure we are able to negotiate in terms of our manifesto and what people in Oxfordshire voted Labour to see.”

Newly-elected Green group leader David Williams said: “I think it makes for quite an unstable situation because it only gives them a majority of three, or one or two if someone is absent.”

Meanwhile, roles and responsibilities have been established within the Green Party’s two-man group on the county council.

David Williams, previously the leader of the group on the city council, will become leader of the county delegation, while Sam Coates will be his deputy.

Mr Williams has stood down as the city group leader, and his place will be taken by Craig Simmons, with Sam Hollick as his deputy.