THE balance of power on Tendring Council could shift after a suspended councillor lost his appeal.

Tendring First councillor Peter Balbirnie was struck off for three months in March after he allegedly swore at council planning officers.

An appeal against the length of the ban has been dismissed by the Standards Board for England.

It means the Conservative group could take power at the authority’s annual meeting next Wednesday.

The administration is worried much of the work it has done since coming to power in 2007, such as starting up regeneration company INTend, could be undone.

The Town Hall is controlled by a rainbow alliance of Tendring First, Liberal Democrats, Labour and independent councillors.

They have 30 of the 60 seats, including the chairman who has the casting vote.

But Mr Balbirnie’s absence means the 27 Conservatives could seize power next week, if they get the support of the three members of the Community Representatives Party.

Conservative leader Neil Stock said: “We could see a change of administration, but I won’t make any promises.

“Two years ago we were in the position of being the largest group by far and many people assumed we would form the administration.

“We would be willing to work with any councillors who want to push Tendring forward.”

Steven Henderson, leader of the Community Representatives, said: “We will support any policy put forward by any party that benefits the community.

“Unfortunately David Lines’s alliance did not win our trust on several occasions.

“We will support the Conservatives on each and every policy they put forward on its own merit.”

Tendring First councillor Pierre Oxley, speaking on behalf of Mr Balbirnie, said: “Peter is obviously disappointed with the decision, especially as we have done a lot of good things over the past few years.

“Our appeal was based on the belief the length of suspension was disproportionate.

“But the adjudication panel did not agree with that and agreed with the three-month suspension.”

David Lines, leader of the council, would not be drawn on what could happen at the meeting.