Candidates confirmed for council leader role

Another councillor has put themselves in the running to be the next leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, shortly ahead of the deadline on Sunday.

The Conservative council's current leader, Ben Bradley, announced he would be stepping down in December following a "challenging" year and two election defeats.

Richard Jackson, currently cabinet member for finance, said colleagues had urged him to stand.

Sam Smith, who is cabinet member for education and special educational needs and disabilities, tabled his leadership bid earlier in November, and the BBC understands Neil Clarke - cabinet member for transport and environment - is also in the running.

Bradley lost the race to become the first mayor of the East Midlands in May to Labour's Claire Ward.

He later lost his Mansfield MP seat to Labour's Steve Yemm in July's general election.

Bradley will hold the leader's position until 4 December.

He is, however, in the running to be the Conservative candidate for Lincolnshire mayor.

Jackson, who was born in Chilwell, was previously leader of Broxtowe Borough Council between 2015 and 2019.

"I've had several colleagues ask me to put myself forward," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Friday.

Smith, 27, who represents Trent Valley on Gedling Borough Council, and Newark East for the county council, tabled his leadership bid earlier in November.

He said he hoped to become one of the youngest leaders in the country.

The council's Conservative group will select a new group leader this coming week before the council appoints a leader of the authority at the next formal meeting on 5 December.

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