After the euphoria of an unexpected election result, the five-way coalition hoping to take over Swale council is likely to seal the deal tomorrow.

No party has overall control of the borough after the Conservatives lost half of their seats at this month’s local elections.

As a result, Labour, the Swale Independents (SI), Lib Dems, Greens and Independents have joined forces to seize power from the Tories in what would be a first for Kent.

Their group leaders met at Swale House in Sittingbourne on Thursday to sign a document setting out the way forward.

Cllr Roger Truelove (Lab) said the coalition would be known as the Co-operative Alliance – with its control of the authority expected to be confirmed at tomorrow’s Full Council meeting.

The most significant planned changes include:

• a Further Education college in Sittingbourne

• scrapping the current cabinet system and replacing it with committees, so all members have a role in decisions

• a new focus on tourism, promoting the borough’s wildlife, heritage, beaches and marine potential

• employing a council officer to consider health issues

• improving access to temporary accommodation for homeless people

There would be a radical new approach to planning, said Cllr Mike Baldock (SI), with the focus on catering for existing need, such as bungalows, housing for disabled people and starter homes.

Cllr Ben J Martin said the long waiting list for social housing needed addressing and the council would encourage Community Land Trusts – housing schemes, run by ordinary people, that remain affordable.

Cllr Tim Valentine (Green) described a new emphasis on the environment, with more charging points for electric vehicles and greater use of renewable energy.

Cllr Monique Bonney said the council would help create jobs of higher pay and skills and regenerate not one, but each of the main urban areas.

While some plans are to be put in place quite quickly – redeploying members of the council's planning department is a priority – other shake ups will take longer.

The cabinet system cannot be replaced for nearly a year, meaning the coalition will retain the structure in the meantime.

It was remaining tight-lipped about who would become cabinet members, although five of the seven roles will be taken by the group leaders.

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