Lib Dem councillor Christine Wise was last night voted in as Rutland County Council's new leader.

She replaces her party colleague Gale Waller, who announced she was stepping down last week.

Coun Waller said she was honoured to have led the council for "the small but perfectly formed" county of Rutland for the last three years.

She said she was stepping down as she did not intend to stand for election in 2027 when Rutland becomes part of a larger council as part of the proposed shake-up of local government.

Coun Wise, who is also the current leader of the Lib Dem group, told the full council meeting: "The next two years are not going to be like any we have faced before. It's going to be local government but not as we know it.

"It will require a particular style of leadership – a person who listens, shares and looks at things differently and I believe I can bring that style of leadership."

Coun Wise was proposed as leader by Coun Rosemary Powell (Ind). A vote to install Coun Wise as leader was passed with 19 councillors voting in favour and six voting against. 

She told the meeting she was "truly humbled" to have been given the opportunity.

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Although originally from Essex, the former maths teacher has lived the majority of her adult live in Uppingham, where she raised her two sons with her late husband Trevor.

She later lectured and researched educational leadership at The Open University.

She became a county councillor in 2023 and has a strong policy interest in education, health, social care and the environment.

Her personal interests include Nordic walking, cycling, horse riding and swimming, alongside knitting, jigsaws and reading.

Speaking after the meeting, opposition leader Lucy Stephenson (Conservatives) said: "We now have a coalition administration formed between the Liberal Democrat and Independent groups, re-enforced by Labour councillors.

"Having carefully considered our position, we voted against this arrangement.

"This is a time of significant challenge for the council and the communities we each serve.

"Robust, reliable and experienced leadership is essential to navigate the financial, operational, and social pressures we currently face.

"We believe at this precarious moment, Rutlanders need and deserve a leader, and a council, willing to stand up to Government, to fight for our communities, and to defend our interests."