A NEW leadership team is in place at Northumberland County Council.

On Wednesday, a special meeting of the council was held to elect a new leader, and Coun. Glen Sanderson, who represents Longhorsley, was elected leader by a margin of 36 votes to one, with 26 abstentions.

Speaking at the meeting, Coun. Sanderson said: “It is a great honour - some may think it is a poisoned chalice, but for me, it’s a great honour.

“Every county councillor in this meeting is just a director of this multi-million pound company as I am.

“I’m hoping that together, we can can try to concentrate on positivity and less on negativity - more time on getting behind our staff, and each and every one of our residents, and more relevant discussion between us, because any successful business does have to have good communication.

It was also confirmed that Coun. Wendy Pattison would be appointed to a new position in the council’s cabinet as equality and diversity champion. Coun. Sanderson added: “Wendy will sit in on cabinet meetings specifically to renew our commitment to all people in the county protected in law, to protect them from discrimination and disadvantage, and to make sure that equality is at the heart of everything we do.”

Coun. Susan Dungworth, Labour leader on the county council, referenced a number of allegations made against councillors in recent weeks.

She said: “Despite having a lot of personal respect for you, Glen, and a belief that you can do your job, you and your administration is on probation.”

Coun. Dungworth added that she was disappointed there were members of the cabinet continued in their roles despite “some serious questions hanging over them”.