JUST minutes after being officially appointed as the new leader of Northumberland County Council, Conservative leader Peter Jackson faced tough questions on the future of the authority’s development company, Arch.

With scrapping the operation, which manages a £300m property portfolio, high on his list of pre-election pledges, Coun. Jackson was quizzed on his plans by opposition councillors.

Labour’s Coun. Bernard Pidcock and Independent Coun. Georgina Hill asked how the new administration would protect jobs and deliver the same financial returns while dismantling the company.

But Coun. Jackson told a packed council chamber on Wednesday: “I think this £25m dividend and profits from Arch were a figment of someone’s imagination.”

“People see the whole thing as a highly dubious operation and nothing more than a Labour scheme designed to deceive the general public.

“There are hundreds of millions of pounds tied up in Arch and we’re currently analysing the structure and commitments.”

Coun. Jackson told the meeting the new administration was inheriting a council which was £1bn in debt – amounting to over £10,000 per household.

He rejected claims by former Labour cabinet member, Coun. Ian Swithenbank, that plans had been put in place for the council to be debt free by 2027.

“Despite this I see a bright future for our county, based on the good staff who have around us who we value deeply,” Coun. Jackson added.

“There will be no large scale upheaval and none of this so-called privatisation we’ve been accused of.

“We want a council that works with all communities.”

In his new role as leader, Coun. Jackson will be supported by Cramlington North’s ward councillor, Wayne Daley as deputy leader. Coun. Daley is also portfolio holder for family and children’s services.

Ponteland North’s Coun. Richard Dodd was chosen as the council’s new business chairman, with Wooler’s Anthony Murray appointed as the authority’s new civic head, supported by Amble West with Warkworth ward councillor, Jeff Watson, as his deputy.

Tynedale is also well-represented on the newly-appointed cabinet with Hexham’s Coun. Cath Homer given a portfolio which includes arts, leisure and culture; Corbridge’s Nick Oliver appointed as cabinet secretary and overseeing corporate resources, and Bellingham’s John Riddle overseeing services which include planning and public protection.

Ponteland’s Veronica Jones has responsibility for adult health and wellbeing with Glen Sanderson, councillor for Longhorsley, given a portfolio for environment and neighbourhood services.