Tory group leader steps down after 20 years

Hill said it was time for some fresh blood to take over as Conservative group leader

The outgoing leader of Lincolnshire County Council has announced he is stepping down as head of the Conservative group.

Martin Hill, who led the county council for 20 years, said it was time for "some fresh blood".

Reform UK took control of the council after winning 44 of the 70 seats in the local election last Thursday, ahead of the Conservatives in second with 14 seats.

Councillor Richard Davies, who represents Grantham West, has been announced as Hill's successor as Conservative group leader.

Hill, who retained his Folkingham Rural seat, claimed he would have been standing down "pretty soon" even if his party had retained control of the authority.

He added: "I've been 20 years as leader of the council - that's long enough I think, [and] I'm the wrong side of 70."

The Conservatives had controlled the authority for most of the last 50 years and started the night with 53 seats.

'Frustrating'

Commenting on the election result, Hill said people had voted on national issues, rather than what the council was actually responsible for.

"Immigration was a thing on the doorstep, and the feeling that the country is in a mess," he said.

"It's frustrating... [People would say] I think you guys have done a good job for us - but we are still voting for Reform."

Despite Reform UK's success, Hill said he had no intention of jumping ship, but added that he would support Reform in opposing plans for pylons across the county, along with "too many solar farms".

"Where it makes sense we will support - where it doesn't, we wont," he said.

Davies said the Conservative group would hold the new administration to account.

However, he added: "We will not oppose for the sake of it, it is in all of our interests for the council to succeed."

"Our focus will be on ensuring the county council continues to deliver effective and high-quality services for all residents."

The full Conservative group leadership team is due to be announced in the coming days.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.