Just one councillor will hold the balance of power over crucial issues affecting Brighton and Hove.

Independent Jayne Bennett has found herself in the position of being able to make policy as one of the city council's most volatile meetings nears.

Motions calling for the impeachment of Prime Minister Tony Blair, a call to ban "murder music" and a ban on so-called mega-casinos are on the agenda for November 25.

But the ruling Labour group will command just 22 votes of a total of 54 after losing the Hangleton by-election and losing the vote of Coun Francis Tonks, who has an arm and leg in plaster.

Frustrating The member for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean tore a leg muscle when he fell down the stairs and then tripped again and broke a bone in his hand.

He said: "This is very frustrating because there is a whole host of meetings I cannot get to and the political balance is quite tight at the council now."

The Conservative opposition has 21 members and could block Labour motions by winning the support of Coun Bennett, a former Tory, or members of the smaller Green and Lib Dem groups.

The part-time British Airways flight attendant and mother-of-three won Stanford ward without the support of a political group because she did not want to toe a party line.

Mrs Bennett, 46, of Hill Brow, Hove, said: "A lot of people said at the election that supporting an independent councillor was a wasted vote but this has proved not to be the case.

"Because I am an independent I can truly represent the views of residents and regularly do surveys to find out what people really want."

Labour council leader Ken Bodfish said: "This is not something that's worrying me.

"We look for support from all three political parties for policies that we believe are in the interests of the city.

"On a whole range of issues more people agree with my more common sense approach than disagree.

"Every vote does count and we hope every councillor will be interested in governing the city rather than seeking publicity."

Labour's tenuous lead has led to surprising alliances. The Conservatives and Greens are to form an ad-hoc coalition on at least one major issue at the next meeting They have already shown they are willing to work together by jointly proposing a motion against a mega-casino for Brighton and Hove.

The Green-Blue alliance can command 27 votes while the weakened Labour group, with the support of Lib Dems, will muster just 26.

Should Coun Bennett decide to support the leadership, any policies put forward by the opposition would be unsuccessful.

A draw would mean the mayor would have a casting vote - but Coun Pat Drake said she would not use her casting vote to force through or block motions on party lines.

She said: "I believe it is the duty of the chair to vote for the status quo. I will seek legal advice if necessary.

"I would not go down my own political route in order to thwart the majority of the council."

Conservative leader Garry Peltzer Dunn, said: "Labour was in a minority before the by-election but is now in a more precarious position.

"It is now going to be very difficult for them and they will have to take into consideration the opposition's views.

"But the opposition must be constructive when it is reasonable to do so while not being afraid to oppose when it's justified."

Green group convener Keith Taylor said: "Labour's grip on power is becoming more temporary and this does give smaller parties a big negotiating power.

"We can give them a bloody nose if we want to and we will do what we can to champion our own agenda."