A COUNTY council has elected a new chairman and welcomed back its newly re-elected leader.

North Yorkshire County Council leader Councillor John Weighell set out his priorities and hopes for the future, and pledged that the authority will work to achieve the best for the county.

Coun Weighell, who was re-elected leader at today’s (Wednesday, May 15) annual meeting of the council at County Hall in Northallerton, said this month’s elections, and “the new faces it has brought into our midst” would provide renewed impetus for progress.

“The priorities for North Yorkshire are varied and far reaching,” he said.

Councillor Bernard Bateman, representing Ripon North, was elected as the new chairman of the council at the meeting, and said he was looking forward to a busy year ahead of him.

He said he would be particularly promoting the Tour de France in the county, “to ensure we get the maximum economic advantages, both during the event but also in the longer term with the worldwide coverage it will receive.”

Coun Weighell added: “North Yorkshire has an aging population, which creates increasing demand for health and care services.

“We will continue to work with private, public and volunteer partners to support the elderly and vulnerable, helping them remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible.”

He said: “The council is currently well into a four-year programme that will see it reduce its spending by £91m by 2014 to 2015. Further reductions in funding are expected when the government sets out its spending review for the years from 2015 onwards.”

The meeting also confirmed the holders of the council portfolios, making up the council executive: Coun Carl Les, deputy leader; Coun Arthur Barker; Coun Tony Hall; Coun Clare Wood; Coun Don Mackenzie; Coun Gareth Dadd; and Coun Chris Metcalfe.