New leader chosen for Leeds City Council
Councillor James Lewis has been named as the next leader of Leeds City Council.
The decision follows a virtual meeting of labour councillors on Friday, during which time they were asked to elect a replacement for Councillor Judith Blake CBE, who is to step down from the role of leader after receiving a life peerage in the House of Lords.
Lewis, who represents the Kippax and Methley ward, has been a councillor since 2007 and is currently the deputy leader of the council and the executive member for resources.
Although timescales for the handover and installation of a new leader are as yet unclear as it has not yet been stated when Blake will be given her post in the Upper House, a full council meeting is expected in the coming months which will see Lewis officially installed.