Health Concern was also boosted by the decision of 3 independent councillors to join the group.

The council had been controlled by the Conservatives since the 2000 election in an alliance with 2 of the independent councillors.

Three independent councillors were elected; two former Conservatives who had left the group in 2006 being joined by an additional member.

The vacancy was due to the resignation of an independent councillor.

Hazell was a former Conservative member who had left the party in 2001 to sit as an independent councillor.

The first council elected had a large majority of independent councillors.

In Scotland, independent councillors still retain their position on some local authorities.

It was independents who made progress in the election, with the number of independent councillors going up to 11.

For the remainder of his term, he once again served as an independent councillor.

Prior to the direct administration, there were a majority of independent councillors, though members did not generally divide along party lines.