New leader announced for Wellingborough Council

Councillor Barry Graves has been elected as the deputy leader of the Conservative Group and will also be confirmed as deputy leader of the council at the annual meeting.

Cllr Bell said: "It is a privilege to be leader of the council. I'm the first leader from Swanspool and it's an honour for my colleagues and me that the people of Swanspool trust me to be their leader. I'm delighted not only to represent the people from Swanspool but the whole borough and my leadership will be an inclusive leadership - we're very much a team and I want to bridge gaps in order to take the borough forward. I want to promote the borough so that people recognise everything that's good about us. I want to stand up and shout our name and let other areas copy us. We have so much that we do well and I'm proud to be part of that.

"It is the most challenging time for any local authority leader, with spending cuts and service reorganisations, but we will get through it. We will talk to people and listen to them and we will work with people. Good ideas can come from anywhere - residents, the opposition group, council employees, and we will listen to them all. I've spent a lot of time campaigning and I do feel I have a thorough understanding of what the public wants from the council, but it's important we don't become complacent and we continue to keep that relationship going.

"Being leader of the council will be enjoyable, but it is about teamwork. I'm looking forward to working closely with Cllr Graves as deputy, and I'm prepared to put in a lot of hard work to serve the people and make sure the council is visible and approachable and that the whole borough moves forward as a community."

As leader of the council, Cllr Bell will appoint chairmen of the council's committees. He will consult with deputy leader Cllr Graves this evening (Thursday 12 May) and will announce the composition of the committees tomorrow (Friday 13 May).