New leader chosen after predecessor's Commons win

Councillor Lee Carter has been on the authority for 10 years

A new leader of Telford & Wrekin Council has been elected, after his predecessor became Telford's MP at the general election.

Councillor Lee Carter has been a Labour member of the authority since 2014.

He succeeds Shaun Davies, who was elected to the House of Commons at the general election and has stepped down from his council duties.

Mr Carter came to prominence when he played a leading role in reviving the town's premier non-league football club, AFC Telford United, in 2004.

He led a fans' takeover after the former Telford United went out of business in 2004.

Mr Carter was the new club's first chairman, and served as its managing director between 2013 and 2016.

The borough council's Labour group has now elected him as its leader until the next local elections in 2027.

He has been on the authority's cabinet since shortly after his election, most recently taking on the brief for economy, jobs and neighbourhood services.

Mr Carter also oversaw the implementation of the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford.

'Huge privilege'

After his appointment, he said: "It is a huge privilege to be elected by fellow councillors to lead Telford & Wrekin Council.

"I don’t underestimate the challenge, but am determined to ensure the administration continues to do its very best on behalf of all Telford and Wrekin residents.”

Appointing his first council cabinet, Mr Carter brought in Angela McClements as a new member, to oversee leisure, tourism and culture.

Writing on social media, Mr Davies congratulated his successor, saying he would be "an outstanding leader for our borough".

On Thursday, the new MP revealed he had been appointed as private parliamentary secretary to the leader of the House of Lords, Baroness (Angela) Smith of Basildon.

Labour plans to reform the Lords and ultimately replace it, starting by removing hereditary peers and bringing in mandatory retirement for peers over 80.