The leadership of Stroud District Council has been passed from one green councillor to another after a meeting which saw the two frontline political figures swap roles.

Previously deputy leader, Cllr Chloe Turner (MInchinhampton) has stepped up to take the top political job at Ebley Mill after winning the backing of her party, while former leader Cllr Catherine Braun (Wotton-under-Edge) is now the party's elected deputy. This reversal of roles saw unanimous backing across parties at the council's AGM.

A spokeperson for Stroud District Green Party said: "Councillors of all political parties voted overwhelmingly to appoint Cllrs Turner and Braun to their new roles, with just two abstentions.

Cllr Braun had been Group leader for four years and Leader of the Council for almost three years and has stepped into the role of Deputy Leader to find a better balance with her day job. She also continues as a councillor for Wotton-under-Edge, North Nibley and Stinchcombe."

The AGM also saw the Greens consolidate their grip on the authority's work in the following appointments on committee leadership:

● Chair and Vice Chair of Council – Cllr Kate Kay / Cllr Matthew Sargeant

● Chair and Vice Chair of Strategy and Resources Committee – Cllr Chloe Turner / Cllr Catherine Braun

● Chair and Vice Chair of Environment Committee – Cllr Martin Pearcy / Cllr Tricia Watson

● Chair and Vice Chair of Community Services and Licensing Committee – Cllr Martin Brown / Cllr Beki Aldam

● Chair and Vice Chair of Housing Committee – Cllr Gary Luff / Cllr Lucas Schoemaker

● Chair and Vice Chair of Development Control Committee – Cllr Martin Baxendale / Cllr Helen Fenton.

Given the legal constraint that dictates an Audit and Standards Committee cannot be chaired by a member of the administration group, Labour councillors Bob Hughes and John Callinan were confirmed as Chair and Vice Chair respectively.

Cllr Braun thanked council officers, Green colleagues and the leaders of the other political groups for their help during her time as Leader.

She said: "We have agreed on most things across all political groups, which reflects our culture of collaborative working. I'm particularly proud of the work we have done together on the council's priorities in the new Council Plan, which stand us in good stead for the years ahead."

She added that she fully supported Cllr Turner in the new role: "Chloe brings a wide range of leadership and engagement skills to the Council Leader role, as well as extensive experience as both a district and county councillor, so she's very well placed to lead us through the next chapter of the council's work and local government reorganisation. Most importantly, Chloe brings a real passion for the people and places of Stroud district."

Cllr Turner described Cllr Braun as "a source of stability and collaboration, with a generous and open style of leadership".

Previously, Cllr Turner had taken over as Leader of the Green group from Cllr Braun (who also becomes her deputy in that role).

Cllr Kate Kay (Green), unanimously re-elected as Chair of the council, pointed out that, following the selection of a new Leader of the Labour group, the leaders of all the political groups on SDC are now women, and are: Green: Cllr Chloe Turner; Labour: Cllr Katy Hofmann; Liberal Democrat: Cllr Linda Cohen; Conservative: Cllr Lindsey Green.

Cllr Turner added: "I've admired Catherine's leadership enormously, and she leaves this council in excellent shape, with an ambitious Council Plan for better services for our communities and benefits for climate and nature. I'm looking forward to overseeing delivery of our Plan, and continuing to stand up for Stroud District's communities, local services and our environment in the ongoing path towards local government reorganisation."