As the dust settles on the pomp of King Charles III’s coronation, new political leaders continue to be crowned with more muted fanfare across a selection of England’s local authorities.

For many, this may be a formality with the leader known as soon as the result of the count was announced by caffeine-fuelled council staff. Elsewhere, even where political control didn’t change hands, a significant number of long-term leaders lost their seats resulting in uncertainty and the sudden emergence of new people keen to make their mark. For an increasing number of councils with no outright winner there will be delicate negotiations that could last right up to the Council’s AGM.