Councillor Ashley Baxter (Independent) has been elected as the new leader of South Kesteven District Council.

The representative for Market & West Deeping narrowly defeated his Conservative rival Councillor Graham Jeal to become the new leader of South Kesteven District Council in Thursday's full council meeting.

Last week, Councillor Richard Cleaver (Independent) announced his resignation as leader of SKDC, a position he assumed after the local elections in May.

Initially, Cllr Baxter was elected as deputy leader. However, it was reportedly agreed upon in a "gentleman's agreement" that Cllr Cleaver would initially "steady the ship" and then step down in January, paving the way for his colleague to take over.

During Thursday's meeting, the newly elected leader expressed gratitude to his predecessor for "sticking to the deal" made roughly 29 months earlier." As leader, Cllr Cleaver has lifted the carpet to let us see what's been swept under it," Cllr Baxter remarked.

He further announced that his predecessor would assume the role of deputy leader and that the current cabinet will remain intact until the council's next Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Cllr Baxter later reflected on the council's progress, adding: "I've said many times before that this council chamber is a much happier place than it was a year ago.

"When I was first elected in 2015, the late Councillor Bob Adams welcomed me as an opposition member and told me that he fully expected that there would be some theatrics, but if I actually wanted to communicate about anything important, then I would be welcome to approach him directly. It seemed like a perfectly reasonable way to operate, and one I would like to emulate.

"There are 70,000 households that are relying on us to deliver efficient, effective, value-for-money services. We can only do that if we all play our part and work together, cross-party, cross chamber, members and officers alike.

"Of course, we need constructive abrasion but we all need to remember that, ultimately, we're all on the same team. Thanks for appointing me as team captain."