00:00When control of a council changes hands the question for residents is what
00:05difference will it make to everyday services. In Birmingham a new minority
00:11administration says its first task is to show the city can be governed calmly
00:16and collectively. The Liberal Democrats, Greens and independent councillors have
00:23agreed to work together after an election left no party with a majority.
00:27Reform became the largest group on Birmingham City Council when Labour lost
00:33control but both said they would not join a coalition administration in
00:38Birmingham. Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Harmer has been voted in as
00:43council leader. Under the coalition plan the leadership is expected to pass
00:48formally to Green Group leader Julian Pritchard in two years making this an
00:54unusual power sharing arrangement for the authority locally. Councillor Pritchard
00:59says the partners will work as grown-ups reach across the chamber and provide
01:04stability for residents. Councillor Harmer says the priority is getting basic
01:09services right including litter, fly tipping and the unresolved binge strike
01:14affecting daily life for many families in the city. The challenge is significant.
01:20Birmingham City Council manages a budget of around 4.4 billion pounds and remains
01:25under pressure after years of financial difficulty.
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