A NORTH-East council leader has been named among the most influential people in local government.

Durham County Council chief Simon Henig was included in the Local Goverment Chronicle’s LGC100 list for the first time.

The Labour councillor is the only North-East-based elected politician in the list, which includes national and regional politicians, government ministers, civil servants and think tank representatives.

Cllr Henig has led Durham since 2008 and is chair of the North-East combined authority.

He said: “It is absolutely vital that nationally the voice of County Durham and the entire North-East is heard and that there is an understanding of the area’s needs and aspirations.

“I am pleased to be at the forefront of delivering lasting and tangible benefits to the county and region and I will continue to make that my priority for the future.”

Durham is currently the LCG’s Council of the Year.