Cllr Catherine Braun has been elected as the new Leader of Stroud District Council.

Following Cllr Doina Cornell's resignation from the role of Leader of the Council on Thursday (July 21), Cllr Braun was elected to the post at the full council meeting that evening. Cllr Natalie Bennett was voted in as Deputy Leader.

Cllr Braun (Green, Wotton-under-Edge) said: "I am honoured to take on the role of Leader and will work collaboratively with all parties, to deliver on our 2030 strategy for a sustainable future, and our Council Plan, for the people and businesses of the district."

"I have worked closely with Cllr Cornell for many years, and I would like to pay tribute to her commitment to communities across the

district, as well as her focus on cross-party working."

Cllr Bennett (Labour, Nailsworth) said: "We are committed to working collaboratively and delivering on the Council Plan, which addresses community resilience and wellbeing; economy, recovery and regeneration; and environment and climate change.

"We as councillors are determined to work across political lines for the best of everyone in the district."

Cllr Cornell (Community Independent) has led the council for four-and-a-half years and will continue to serve as a member of the council.