THE new leader of Eden District Council admits the next four years will be challenging but has thanked his predecessor for his 'tireless work'.

Cllr Kevin Beaty (Conservative/Skelton) takes over from Cllr Gordon Nicolson OBE (Conservative/Lazonby), who led the authority for the past four years.

Following the local elections on May 7, the Conservative Group on the authority has an overall majority for the first time in the council’s history.

Cllr Beaty said: “I am delighted to have been elected as the council’s new leader and I look forward to working with the newly-elected and returned councillors. The next four years will be challenging, but thanks to the tireless work of former leader we have an excellent foundation to build on including a balanced budget and no reductions to services.

"Although we have almost full employment in Eden, we have a low wage economy so we need to deliver higher paid jobs to encourage young people to develop their careers here. Building more homes for local families and helping to meet the needs of our ageing population are other important objectives.”

Members elected Cllr Mike Tonkin (Independent/Morland) as its chairman and Cllr Joan Raine (Conservative/Crosby Ravensworth) as vice-chairman.

The new executive comprises of Cllr Beaty as leader, Cllr Lesley Grisedale as deputy leader, housing and health, Cllr Mike Slee, communities, Cllr David Hymers MBE, economy, Cllr Adrian Todd, services and Cllr Gordon Nicholson, resources.