Two candidates stand for council leader role

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

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.

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 has however confirmed he will be a candidate for the mayor of Lincolnshire in May 2025.

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 said.

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.

It is expected a third candidate will step forward before nominations close on Sunday, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The county 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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