Opposition councillors say a “new political landscape” is emerging in North Yorkshire after the Conservative-led group on the unitary authority lost its majority.

The decision by Oatlands and Pannal division councillor, John Mann, to become an unaffiliated independent member means the Conservative and Independent group on North Yorkshire Council now has 45 out of 90 members.

While the casting vote of the Tory council chairman would mean the party could still win any full council vote, the loss of the majority means council officers will now need to recalculate the political makeup of the authority’s various committees.

The Conservatives-led group currently occupies all seats on the council’s executive committee, and have the majority of councillors on other non-constituency-based commit

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