New West Norfolk Council leader Alistair Beales pledges to work ‘constructively’ with Conservative and Labour members
West Norfolk Council’s incoming leader has pledged to work “constructively” with Labour and Conservative members as he prepares to take charge.
Cllr Alistair Beales emerged victorious over current chief Cllr Terry Parish after a vote between members of the Independent Partnership which runs the authority on Wednesday night.
The Independent leadership will officially change on May 13, while he looks set to be ratified as the new council leader at the authority’s AGM on May 16.
Cllr Parish became the leader in May last year after our local elections, heading up the first non-Conservative administration in West Norfolk in two decades.
Since then, Cllr Beales has served in his cabinet as executive member for business.
Now, after being voted in as the new council leader, he told the Lynn News: “I was delighted and honoured to be elected as the new leader of the Independent Partnership and of the council in due course.
“I would like to thank Terry Parish for his service as leader and Jim Moriarty for his service as deputy leader.
“The Independent Partnership is a diverse and talented group, and I will be seeking to harness all of that talent and commitment for the benefit of our community whilst seeking to strengthen and enhance our close working relationship with the Labour Group.
“I shall also be challenging the Conservative Group to work constructively with us on areas of policy agreement that benefit our residents and our community.
“I am looking forward to this exciting and challenging role and cannot wait to get started”.
Cllr Parish said he is currently considering his options regarding his position within the council, but will be giving more time to his ward work in any case.
