New Leader For Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council has a new leader, following the resignation of Ken Thornber.

Councillor Roy Perry has been voted in by the Conservatives as the group's new leader at a meeting on Tuesday 7th May, making him the council's leader elect. The 70-year-old was formerly head of children's services.

Previous leader Councillor Thornber, who's now 80, announced after the recent local elections that he would step down as County Council leader, despite holding his Brockenhurst seat. He says it's because of a promise he made after narrowly winning a leadership challenge last year, and will allow a new leader to take charge of the council. He had been the leader for 14 years.

Councillor Perry's appointment still needs to be ratified by the full council at a meeting on 22nd May.