The council's Cabinet member for finance and property, Coun Chris Baron hoped to take the Labour group into next year's elections.

But Coun David Kirkham (Lab) will continue as leader of the council for the next 12 months.

The crucial decision was made at the county's annual general meeting.

Coun Baron has been a Hucknall member of the council since 1997 and also formerly served on Ashfield District Council.

He played a key role in the Living Legend project to rejuvenate Sherwood Forest and is also working on the re-invention of the watersports centre at Holme Pierrepont since Sport England withdrew their funding.

Coun Kirkham, who took over in May 2005, said: "I am very pleased and I thank my colleagues for continuing to support me.

"I am pleased we have got continuity. We have enjoyed a lot of success over these last few years. We have now got the opportunity to continue that."

Some members felt the time was not right for a leadership change just 12 months from an election.

Coun Baron said: "In politics, there is never an ideal time for such a change but I am happy that democracy has been done."