Northumberland councillors keep faith in Glen Sanderson as leader of new-look cabinet

He heads a new-look cabinet appointed at the first full council meeting since the Conservatives won overall control at the recent local election.

The Longhorsley ward member took on the leadership last year when Peter Jackson was ousted by one vote in a motion of no confidence brought by the county's Labour group.

At Wednesday’s meeting, calls for a debate over his selection were dismissed and went straight to a vote which he comfortably won, although two dozen of the council’s 67 members voted against it.

Cllr Sanderson, who will also be the portfolio holder for climate change, said: “I’m delighted we have selected such a strong cabinet who will play a pivotal role over the coming years as we work to grow Northumberland’s economy and ensure a bright future for everyone who lives, works and visits our great county.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our residents for putting their faith in us for another four years, as well as express my gratitude to our hard-working staff who have gone above and beyond particularly over the last year or so.

"Those who have not been quite so energetic in putting their voice towards supporting me, all I can say is that the only way this council will perform is if we work together. I will always meet with other councillors at any time and I hope we can work together for this brilliant council that we've got."

At the election, the Tories ended up with 34 seats - a majority of one, with Labour on 21, seven independents, three Lib Dems and the Green Party on two.

Cllr Richard Wearmouth will be deputy leader and there will also be a deputy cabinet member for corporate services, Cllr Paul Scott.

Cabinet portfolio holders and their deputies will be as follows:

Adults’ Wellbeing - Cllr Wendy Pattison, with a deputy of Cllr Catherine Seymour

Community Services - Cllr Colin Horncastle, with a deputy of Cllr Christine Dunbar.

Business - Cllr Wojciech Ploszaj

Children and Young People - Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson

Healthy Lives - Cllr Jeff Watson

Local Services - Cllr John Riddle

The council’s Business Chair will remain Cllr Barry Flux.

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