In the wake of the the May 1 election which saw the Lib Dems very nearly sweep to majority rule, sources close to potential backroom deals at Shire Hall suggest a way forward has finally been resolved.

And if you voted Green in the hope of your vote seeing a coalition with the party tipped to be in charge, look away now.

Punchline-Gloucester.com has been given to understand that Nailsworth Labour and Cooperative Cllr Steve Robinson, the only Labour representative left after the vote ripped up the county's political map and saw big gains for both the LIb Dems and Reform UK, has accepted the seat to chair the council.

In mathematical terms, should Cllr Robinson be confirmed as the new chair, the 27 winning Lib Dems will theoretically be able to run the county with no need to make a formal alliance with the nine new Green councillors - 28 being the magic number for running a majority administration.

Cllr Robinson's appointment, after a campaign which saw cross-party praise for his work representing Nailsworth, would see him in the role previously occupied by Tewkesbury West Reform UK Cllr Vernon Smith. Punchline has approached Cllr Robinson for comment.

A source for the Green group on the council said the news came as a surprise: "It seems to be very early for the Lib Dems to be making this move, if it is the case. Councillors are still going through training and preliminary meetings. We also feel that in all practicality, the day-to-day running of the council as a Lib Dem majority will still be impractical: it would mean that they have to have everyone available all of the time – which in practice is just not realistic."

The Green group has said it will issue a statement in due course.

● Punchline has approached Shire Hall for comment.