Labour have no majority. They have 27 seats.18 Independent. 9 Green.
Therefore by convention the largest group supplies the leader.
Norman you say that Labour have just lost their majority but with no May 25 elections this happened because Councillor Smith a Hebburn Councillor resigned from the Labour Party and became Independent.
Until there is root and branch Councillor change at the next elections, Mac H, I doubt that you will see the action you deserve.