A TOWN council has a new leadership line-up and it is one of the youngest in the country.

Coun Ian Geldard, who at 24-years-old is the youngest member of Spennymoor Town Council, in County Durham, was elected leader of the authority at its AGM on Tuesday, May 27.

He replaces Coun Ian Harrington as leader after he decided to retire from the post but remain a councillor. Coun Colin Nelson became deputy leader.

Coun Geldard said: “I studied computer science but politics was always my thing, starting with the school council when I was at Tudhoe Grange School.

“I was one of the youngest when I was elected to both councils last May, it has been an enjoyable and interesting year and I’m really pleased to be town council leader.”

Coun Geldard, a Labour party member, is looking ahead to the trials and triumphs of heading the council.

He said: “I expect the town council to face a much tighter budget over the next two years.

“We’ve already started a review of the organisation to see if we are efficient and will look at its recommendations to see if they are in the best interests of our people and to make sure the people of Spennymoor get good value.

“We want this done so when the time comes that we have to survive on less we’ve already got the strategic plan in place to do that.”

Coun Geldard said he looks forward to progressing plans for a skate park facility, in Jubilee Park, and developing annual events including the town show in September and the Bonfire Night fireworks display.

The council’s civic leaders also changed, with Coun Geoff O’Hehir installed as mayor and Coun Pat Lawton as deputy mayor.

Outgoing Mayor Jeff Daley raised £7,662.18 for his chosen charity- the stroke rehabilitation unit (ward four) at Bishop Auckland Hospital.