Conservative group leader Councillor Drew Mellor – who represents the Talbot and Branksome Woods ward, was elected at the extraordinary council meeting on Thursday 1 October.

Cllr Mellor received 40 votes, Unity Alliance leader Cllr Slade 33, and there was one abstention.

The council remains in no overall control.

Cllr Mellor will announce his new Cabinet next week with the next meeting of the BCP Council’s Cabinet due to take place on Wednesday 28 October.