County Council elects new leader

Kay Mason Billig has been elected as the new leader of Norfolk County Council.

Conservative group leader Councillor Mason Billig was voted in at the full council's annual meeting this morning (May 9). She succeeds Councillor Andrew Proctor, who stood down from the role due to ill health.

Cllr Mason Billig said it was an honour to be elected. She paid tribute to Cllr Proctor for putting the council in a strong position and wished him a speedy recovery.

Cllr Mason Billig said: "Our new administration is very much about evolution and not revolution.

"We will be a council that listens to our residents and works with partners to champion Norfolk. We will speak up and fight Norfolk's corner - for funding, for investment and to make the most of any opportunities.

"We will continue to prioritise care for the most vulnerable. We will strive to develop the infrastructure and skills required to grow the economy, which ensures the sustainable funding of those key services."

At the end of her speech, she said: "Our mission is clear: we will build on Andrew's achievements; we will work with our partners, to make the best of all opportunities; and we will always speak up for this county. We will always do our best for Norfolk. I look forward to working collaboratively with you all, to achieve this."

The new leader has named her new cabinet:

• Leader and portfolio holder for Strategy and Governance - Kay Mason Billig
• Deputy Leader and Finance - Andrew Jamieson
• Public Health and Wellbeing - Bill Borrett
• Adult Social Care - Alison Thomas
• Children's Services - Penny Carpenter
• Communities and Partnerships - Margaret Dewsbury
• Environment and Waste - Eric Vardy
• Economic Growth - Fabian Eagle
• Highways, Infrastructure and Transport - Graham Plant
• Corporate Services and Innovation - Jane James

The deputy cabinet members are:

• Adult Social Care - Shelagh Gurney
• Children's Services - Karen Vincent
• Finance - Greg Peck
• Highways, Infrastructure and Transport - Lana Hempsall

The same meeting elected Councillor Barry Stone as chairman of the county council - the authority's civic leader.

Councillors paid tribute to Councillor Karen Vincent, who has completed her year as chair of the county council.

The cabinet will meet for the first time at 10am tomorrow (Wednesday, May 10).