A NEW leader has finally been elected by Redbridge Council after the majority Conservative group cut a controversial deal with the Lib Dems to retake the reins of power.

Tory chief Keith Prince was voted into office by 28 votes to 20 at a full council meeting on Thursday after Lib Dem councillors agreed to abstein in return for having a greater say in policy making for the remainder of the current term.

In what will be seen as an act of desperation by many - the Conservatives signed a joint 'memorandum' with the Lib Dems before the vote, in which they agreed to allow all scrutiny committees to be chaired by opposition members and to review a wide range of other policies such as the council tax rate and parking charges.

The Tories also agreed to review the process for electing the borough's mayors, to ensure all future appointments are made on merit rather than based on political party.

Cllr Prince admitted after the meeting that his party had little choice but to compromise in order to regain the leadership, after five Conservative councillors refused to back him in last week's vote - which he lost.

Four of those five - Councillors Mark Aaron, Robert Whitehall, Geoff Hinds and Brian Waite - resigned from the party to sit as independents.

Cllr Prince said: "It's a shame that their are four former members of the Conservative group who could not accept its democratic decision, and that they have chosen to put their self interest before that of residents.

"I do not think this deal (with the Lib Dems) will obstruct our policy making.

"This memorandum simply puts onto paper what we were looking to propose anyway.

"It is important that as much of the council as possible has an input into policy making.

"We feel that decision making should be more all encompassing."

Lib Dem leader, Hugh Cleaver said: "I am pleased that we have been able to resolve the leadership crisis and win commitments to changes that will benefit the borough.

"Since 2006 Redbridge residents have paid the fourth highest council tax increase in London whilst the council has been fruitlessly pursuing a whole range of pet projects and refusing to involve any opposition councillors in managing any council business.

"Lib Dem councillors have taken the opportunity presented by the current impasse to force a wholesale change in direction, which we hope will benefit local people through a much lower tax increase next year."

Labour members voted against Cllr Prince becoming council leader.

Labour group leader Elaine Norman said she decided to turn down the Tories offer of a deal because she did not trust Cllr Prince.

She said: "I entered into negotiation with the leader of the Conservative group. I then had to withdraw from this after the leader made spurious offers of posts in cabinet to my members if they agreed to cross the house.

"We do not feel that the leader of the Conservatives is trustworthy."

Councillors also elected John Fairley-Churchill as Deputy Leader, and backed Cllr Prince's choices for the new cabinet.