Council appoints leader to replace newly elected MP

Councillor Millie Earl will head a ruling alliance of Liberal Democrats and independents

A council has elected a new leader after her predecessor was elected to parliament.

Millie Earl will head Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council in place of Vikki Slade, who is the newly elected Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole.

Mrs Slade will continue to be councillor for the Broadstone ward.

Ms Earl, a fellow Liberal Democrat and the council's former deputy leader, will head the authority's ruling alliance of Lib Dems and independent councillors.

She said: "The enormity of this role is not lost on me. There is opportunity ahead for this council but there are also challenges."

Ms Earl said she would deliver ward and town centre improvement funds, a card scheme offering benefits to BCP residents and a "governance review to put decision-making back into the hands of local communities".

Councillor Mike Cox has been appointed as the council's new deputy leader.