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Lots drawn for election decider Lots drawn for election decider
(19 minutes later)
The final seat in the local election count at one East Sussex council has been decided by drawing lots, after six recounts failed to seal a result.The final seat in the local election count at one East Sussex council has been decided by drawing lots, after six recounts failed to seal a result.
The former Liberal Democrat leader in Hastings, Richard Stevens, retained his seat in the draw leaving the borough with a hung council.The former Liberal Democrat leader in Hastings, Richard Stevens, retained his seat in the draw leaving the borough with a hung council.
Labour and the Conservatives each gained one seat and the Liberal Democrats lost two seats in the poll.Labour and the Conservatives each gained one seat and the Liberal Democrats lost two seats in the poll.
The result is the first of four areas of Sussex to announce its results. Hastings was the first of four areas of Sussex to announce its results.
Conservative Peter Pragnell, acting leader of Hastings Borough Council, said it would be two weeks before the council decided who would become its leader.
'Deciding vote'
There are 15 Conservative, 13 Labour, three Liberal Democrat and one independent councillors in the borough.
Mr Stevens, a former mayor who left the Labour Party to join the Lib Dems several years ago, and Conservative Stuart Padget both polled 633 votes at Old Hastings ward.Mr Stevens, a former mayor who left the Labour Party to join the Lib Dems several years ago, and Conservative Stuart Padget both polled 633 votes at Old Hastings ward.
Had Mr Stevens lost his seat, the Conservatives would have taken the deciding vote in the council - even against a coalition of the other members - because the mayor belongs to their party.Had Mr Stevens lost his seat, the Conservatives would have taken the deciding vote in the council - even against a coalition of the other members - because the mayor belongs to their party.
The party have increased their majority in Crawley with three less seats for Labour and one less for the Liberal Democrats. Conservative Peter Pragnell, acting leader of Hastings Borough Council, said it would be two weeks before the council decided who would become its leader.
There are 15 Conservative, 13 Labour, three Liberal Democrat and one independent councillors in the borough.
The Conservative Party has increased its majority in Crawley with three fewer seats for Labour and one less for the Liberal Democrats.
A total of 55 seats in Adur, Crawley and Worthing, all previously Tory-held, and Hastings, previously a hung council, were being contested.A total of 55 seats in Adur, Crawley and Worthing, all previously Tory-held, and Hastings, previously a hung council, were being contested.
The results for Adur and Worthing will be finalised on Friday afternoon. The results for Adur will be finalised on Friday afternoon.