Nomination made for new leader of city council

A NEW leader has been proposed for Winchester City Council to direct the Liberal Democrat administration.

Councillor Lucille Thompson has proposed Cllr Martin Tod take up the role after serving as Lib Dem group leader for seven years and leader of the council for three years.

The formal proposal will take place at the Guildhall on Wednesday evening. The decision comes after Cllr Tod was chosen as leader of the Lib Dem group in a recent meeting.

Cllr Thompson said: ‘He has been a hard-working councillor in the city for many years and was the architect of our recent election victory.

‘He also wrote the ambitious and positive manifesto that helped give us nine out of 14 seats in the election and maintain our control of the council.

‘As a cabinet colleague, he was responsible for delivering a whole range of initiatives including some of the fastestgrowing recycling levels in the country and the pedestrianisation of the Square.’

Cllr Tod added: ‘We owe Lucille a huge amount for her leadership over the last seven years.

‘She led the Liberal Democrats to control of the council – and after taking control, she led the council through the pandemic at the same time as it cut its carbon footprint by more than a third.

‘Despite the challenges we face, the council has continued to deliver for local people while keeping council tax down.

‘There are still major challenges ahead.

‘We have said we will go greener, faster. We cannot be complacent about our economic recovery.

‘The council needs to be efficientinkeepingcostsdown.’