A NEW leader of Northumberland County Council’s Labour group has been selected after the previous leader lost her seat.

After Coun. Susan Dungworth did not retain her Hartley seat at the recent county council elections, her deputy Scott Dickinson, who represents Druridge Bay, was appointed in her place.

Coun. Dickinson said: “I would like to thank Northumberland councillors for their confidence in me to lead our group of Labour representatives.

“I remain convinced that the vast majority of people living in Northumberland want a decent home, a decent job, support when they need it and an education which equips them for the world in which we are now living. Residents in Northumberland deserve a thriving, cleaner and greener county to live in.”

Overall, Labour lost one seat after making gains across the county following several Conservative wins in previously Labour-held wards.

Coun. Dickinson was one of only a few labour councillors to increase his majority on election night from 796 in 2017 to 870 at the local elections earlier this month.

He appointed Newbiggin Central and East councillor Liz Simpson as deputy leader.

He said: “My role in Age UK took me right across the county.

“I met some wonderful people along the way and saw first-hand the different issues each community in Northumberland was facing.

“Having been a member of the Labour Party for many years before being elected to represent Newbiggin, it’s a great honour for me to chosen to support Cllr Dickinson as his deputy.

“I know Scott will give a strong voice to all in our county. I will be supporting Scott to form an effective opposition which seeks consensus and agreement where possible, but quite properly holds the council leaders to account where their actions will have a negative effect on our county’s residents.”

Coun. Jeff Reid leader of the Liberal Democrats said: “Although it is a matter for the Labour Party, I congratulate Coun. Dickinson on becoming leader of the Labour group and hope he enjoys his new job.”

In response to Coun. Dickinson’s election, a Conservative Party spokesperson said: “Scott Dickinson was at the heart of a very negative election campaign fought by the Labour Party and for which they were punished by the voters.

“We certainly hope that there will be more consensus in the new council but Labour will be on probation with the voters and have a long way to go to regain their trust.”