Newly-elected Shropshire Council leader welcomes role and challenges of pandemic recovery

Councillor Lezley Picton was officially elected as leader of the authority today.

Replacing former leader Peter Nutting and taking over from acting leader Steve Charmley, who is now the deputy leader, Councillor Picton said her newly-elected cabinet would work "very hard" to rebuild a strong economy across the county.

"I am deeply honoured, humbled and thrilled to have been elected as the new leader of Shropshire Council," she said.

“I am very much about listening to those who we serve and have a stake in all we do, whether this is our residents, our businesses, our communities and partners and our staff.

“There is much to do and, together with my cabinet, we will be working very hard to continue promoting a healthy population and building a healthy economy for Shropshire.

“And truly, there’s never been a better time to start afresh as lockdown eases and we look forward to what I expect to be a long recovery from the pandemic.

"There are many challenges ahead, but most importantly more opportunities that together we must harness.

“My mantra is to be a leader who listens. It’s also very important to get the basics of what we do right, because this is what many people expect from us.”

After winning the majority of votes from her fellow Conservatives to head Shropshire Council as the first female leader earlier this week, Councillor Picton said sorting the county's roads out would be the "number one priority".

Beating acting leader Steve Charmley, Councillor Picton replaces former leader Peter Nutting – who suffered a shock defeat and was voted out in this month's local elections.