Five votes is all that stood between Labour taking outright control of Oxford City Council - in what would have been the party's only gain in England and Wales.

The Liberal Democrats held Barton and Sandhills by just four votes. Labour group leader Bob Price, inset, was set to meet his group on Saturday but has already identified three areas his new administration will attempt to address: play areas - refurbishments to run-down play areas could be completed within two years recycling - there will be no weekly waste collections, but more money will be made available to tackle problem areas leisure - a partnership with the private sector to build new facilities is a possibility.

Labour has promised a new era of cross party working. What remains to be seen is how the council's decision-making executive shapes up.

Although the group does not have a working majority, the executive could be entirely made up of Labour city councillors.

Alternatively, it be a so-called traffic light executive, with seats for opposition councillors.

Liberal Democrat leader John Goddard was also set to meet his group on Saturday and might step down as leader. That would spark a leadership battle - with David Rundle his likely successor.

The bank holiday weekend will mark one of reflection for the Conservatives who failed to make any significant impact.

Green group leader Craig Simmons said: "We need stability - and it is going to be difficult to get that because the Lib Dems are all over the place. And we don't want to work with Labour, policy-wise."

Turnout in Oxford was a respectable 32.6 per cent - although 4.5 per cent down on 2006. The bank holiday weekend will mark one of reflection for the Conservatives who failed to make any significant impact in the city.

Group leader Paul Sargent, who lost his Carfax seat, said: "I am disappointed we didn't take any seats but it's a good result for us, coming from a base where we had nothing six months ago, so I think we have done well."

Next year, Oxfordshire County Council goes to the polls in what is likely to be a double-header with the European elections - with both likely to be held on the same day in June.