The Lib Dems will still control the council after forming a coalition with Independents Leo Madden and Jason Fazackarley.

The power-sharing pact means the two groups have 21 seats between them, the same number as the combined forces of the 19 Tories and two Labour members.

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'We thought about it a lot and decided it is about a shared vision for the city and about trust. I always said we would be prepared to work with other people.'

He added: 'I will continue to work for the good of the city and hopefully have a productive year.'

The major parties have been vying for power since the local elections on May 1 left no-one in overall control.

The Conservatives offered to form a coalition with the Lib Dems – so long as the council leader was a Tory – but were turned down by Cllr Vernon-Jackson who claimed they could not be trusted.

Deputy Tory leader Alistair Thompson said: 'The Lib Dems came second to us in terms of votes in the election but are using all manner of shenanigans to cling to power. It is party politics first and the good of the city second.'

Cllr Vernon-Jackson revealed a new look for the council with the ruling executive, which makes most of the council's day-to-day decisions, being renamed as a cabinet.

The cabinet members are Cllr Hugh Mason, deputy leader and in charge of resources, Cllr Leo Madden, joint deputy leader in charge of health and social care, Cllr Mike Hancock for planning, regeneration and economic development, Cllr Jason Fazackarley for the environment and community safety, Cllr Eleanor Scott for education, children and young people, Cllr Terry Hall for culture and leisure, Cllr Steven Wylie for housing and Cllr Lynne Stagg for traffic and transportation.

There will also be five new scrutiny panels to examine decisions.