A NEW leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been elected to take over the top role.

At a council meeting held last night (February 28), Cllr Simon Bound was elected to take on the "big and exciting position".

Cllr Bound, who was previously deputy leader, has been the acting leader of the council since Cllr Ken Rhatigan stepped down from the role in February for personal reasons.

He said he was extremely grateful to his colleagues for the nomination.

SEE MORE: Council leader resigns from top role with immediate effect

Cllr Bound said: “I am proud to be heading up the council and to be at the helm of a strong team at a key time for the future of the borough and the services that we provide that people rely on every day.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, we are keen to support our amazing communities who have shown such resilience and empathy for others and to ensure this remains a thriving place with good jobs and great places to live."

The new leader said he hopes to take things in a new direction and told the Gazette his focus will be listening to what "residents value and want" and shaping the future of the borough.

He added: “We will be focusing on taking action on the things that people have told us will make the most difference to their lives and are most important to them. We’ve done lots of listening and consulting and it is now time to get on and deliver. We need to take the right decisions and get things moving forward.

“We most absolutely need to focus on the economic and human recovery from the pandemic and supporting organisations while that happens. The local plan, our ecological emergency and wonderful countryside that we have in Basingstoke and Deane has never been more important to people.

"I want to make sure we do the right thing by the things that people enjoy.”

READ MORE: Acting leader of council looks to 'steady the ship' as he takes over top role

During the council meeting Cllr John Izett was appointed as the new deputy leader and will also be cabinet member for finance and property.

The leader of the council said he is excited by the challenges that lie ahead but is confident they will be “something amazing” for the future of the borough.

The first meeting of the new cabinet will take place on Tuesday, March 8.

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