Councillor Mary Lanigan, Leader of the Independent Group and Loftus Ward Borough Councillor, has been elected as Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council following the resignation of ex-Labour Councillor George Dunning at the Borough Council meeting on Thursday 12th February 2015.

Councillor Josh Mason, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the Redcar Constituency and Zetland Ward Borough Councillor will be the Deputy Leader.

Councillor Lanigan said:

“The aim between now and the local elections on 7th May will be to bring about stability and continue with the pressing issues affecting Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and the residents of the borough. It is hoped that party politics can be set aside in order to achieve this.

“The last several months have been very turbulent and not in the interests of the residents therefore for the next 12 weeks until the electorate decide who will lead the authority we will take on this task jointly as a coalition.

“The aim of the elected members is to serve the public who elected them.

“The Independent Group of 13 councillors has formed an alliance with the Liberal Democrat Group to see this through.”

Cllr Josh Mason added:

“After months of Labour Party wrangling and back-stabbing, it’s time to put our residents and communities back at the top of the Council’s agenda.

“I will be working hard with my Cabinet colleagues in the coming weeks to ensure that we deliver a budget that protects core services, strengthens the local economy and delivers fairness for Council Tax payers.”