A nomination for the role of Leader of Somerset County Council has been announced.

It was decided today following a vote over the weekend.

Councillor David Fothergill, County Councillor for Monkton and North Curry has been selected by the Conservative Group to be its Leader. He will therefore be put forward for the post of Leader of the Council, with a formal decision to be taken by Full Council on 24 May.

The Conservative Party increased its majority at the local elections last week and now holds 35 of the 55 seats. It is proposed that Cllr Fothergill will replace John Osman who served as Conservative Group Leader - and therefore Leader of the Council - for six years but lost his Wells seat at the election.

The Full Council involves all County Councillors and its meeting on 24 May will elect the new Leader of the Council. Until that time, the current Deputy, Councillor David Hall, holds the Council Leader responsibilities.

Immediately after the Full Council meeting it is expected that the new Leader of the Council will confirm appointments to Cabinet roles.

Pat Flaherty, Somerset County Council Chief Executive, said: “I’d like to publicly thank everyone who came out to vote in the election.

“We have 25 new councillors and officers will be meeting them, as well as those who retained their seats, to provide more information about our services, what we do and how we do it. Our elected members have a fundamental role in the running of the authority and I look forward to working with them”.