New chairman of Harborough District Council has been elected

Cllr Stephen Bilbie has been elected the new chairman of Harborough District Council for 2020-2021.

The Conservative member for Fleckney will replace Cllr Barbara Johnson in this “unprecedented time”.

Cllr Bilbie told a full council meeting on Monday night that he would do his very best and was honoured to be handed the key role.

He said that he and his wife June both had “connections with the partly-sighted” as he vowed to make Vista Leicestershire his chosen charity for the next 12 months.

Cllr Phil King, who leads the authority, said: “I wish him all the very best.

“It will be a testing time for you and we will support you as much as we can.”

Cllr Phil Knowles, who leads the council’s Liberal Democrat opposition, also wished Cllr Bilbie well.

Cllr Neil Bannister, the Conservative councillor for Dunton, was elected vice-chairman.