A new leadership team has been installed at the Hyndburn Conservative group following veteran Peter Britcliffe’s shock announcement that he is standing down.
Barnfield ward councillor and former Mayor Tony Dobson has now been unanimously elected to the role.
The shakeup comes after the Tory group failed to make any inroads in Labour-held seats at last week’s local elections.
Coun Dobson said he is ‘really looking forward to the challenge’ but said he has a ‘hard act to follow’.
He said: “It was a bit of a shock Peter not standing for the leadership again.
“Obviously I’m extremely proud to be asked to be leader of the group and it always helps when it is a unanimous decision.
“I would like to pay my own tribute to Peter for his 23 years of service to the association and the group, although he is still a big part and remains as councillor and county councillor.
“He has been a strong presence in the group for a number of years and brought on a number of candidates and I hope he continues as councillor for many years to come.”
Coun Dobson, who was elected at the group’s AGM on Wednesday, May 13, said they are now entering a ‘new era’ as a Conservative group.
He said: “These are exciting times with social media and the web giving us the chance to interact with residents and hear their views in a new way.
“We’d love to hear from any local people who’d like to get involved with the group.
“I have my own thoughts that I will put to the group on how we should move forward.
“There are busy times coming up in the next few weeks with the council AGM and the Mayor-making ceremony and we want to get through those two important dates in the council calendar.”
Baxenden councillor Terry Hurn was elected as deputy leader at the party’s AGM this week.
Coun Hurn said Coun Britcliffe’s surprise statement changed everything’.
He said: “I was assuming Peter would be carrying on but here I am as deputy leader.
“It was a nice surprise and it will be a bit of a challenge and something to get my teeth into.
“We need to gather the unity of the group and decide which is the way forward from here and be a forceful group.”
Coun Britcliffe, 65, who has served as the group leader on the council for 23 years, will continue on as St Andrews ward councillor and county councillor for Oswaldtwistle.
Coun Britcliffe told party colleagues that it was ‘time to hand over the reins and let someone else have a go’ and wants to devote more time to his cafe in Accrington Market Hall.
