The shape of the new Fife Council administration could be unveiled on Monday, The Courier understands.
The next 24 hours could prove critical for political parties vying for power after the local elections.
Labour has won the support of the region’s four independent councillors in the party’s race to form a minority administration before the full council meeting on Thursday.
Former opposition leader Alex Rowley is best placed to take over as leader of the council administration after Labour gained 11 seats, bringing the total to 35.
But the SNP and Lib Dems, who have 26 and 10 seats respectively, have not given up and are understood to be in talks about reforming a coalition.
And Fife’s Conservatives could prove influential, with speculation they could choose to back Labour amid cross-party opposition to the SNP’s independence plans.
Mr Rowley would not be drawn on the details of the negotiations but said a minority Labour administration would see the council run differently.
He said: ”What we’re proposing is very different to the status quo. The council will be run in a way we believe will be far more open and transparent and focused on putting people first, compared to the former coalition parties who seem to be working hard to form a coalition, I assume, to deliver much of the same. I don’t believe much of the same is what the people of Fife voted for.
”We have talked to all parties and we have set out how we would like to move forward. We will continue to have discussions. There are a lot of big issues to be tackled and a lot of change that has to be brought about. How we deliver health and social care is one example. There will be big differences in approach.”