North Yorkshire Council has appointed Cllr Mark Crane as its new deputy leader.
The appointment was announced by council leader Cllr Carl Les during a meeting of the full council today (Wednesday).
Cllr Crane succeeds Cllr Gareth Dadd in the role and said he wants economic development, support for businesses and the delivery of new homes, including affordable housing, to remain key priorities for the authority.
He said the council's first countywide Local Plan would be one of the most significant projects currently underway, helping to shape where new homes, jobs and business development are located across North Yorkshire in the years ahead.
Cllr Crane said:
"The opportunity to take on the role of the deputy leader is a real honour, especially as it means following Gareth who is such a great ambassador for North Yorkshire.
"The county is a wonderful place to represent, although there are major challenges that we face with growing demand on our services amid major financial pressures on budgets.
"I think that the local plan is without question the most important piece of work that we are undertaking.
"It will be the first time that we have a strategic document for the whole of North Yorkshire to guide development and planning policy, and it will affect every community in every part of the county.
"As the new deputy leader, I want to make sure that economic development, supporting existing and new businesses, and the provision of housing, and especially affordable homes, are at the forefront of our agenda."
Cllr Crane will continue in his existing executive role overseeing economic development, planning policy and tourism.
The council also announced that Cllr Peter Wilkinson has joined the executive and will take responsibility for finance, property, IT and technology.
Council leader Cllr Carl Les paid tribute to Cllr Dadd, who announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down as deputy leader.
Cllr Les said:
"We are extremely lucky as a council to have two such talented individuals to take on roles following the retirement of the deputy leader.
"I would like to thank Gareth for his hard work, dedication and commitment that he has shown over the years while both deputy leader as well as representing the Thirsk division.
"While Gareth will be a hard act to follow, Mark has an immense amount of experience and has been an integral part of the executive since he was appointed.
"I am looking forward to working with him in his new role to ensure we continue to bring benefits to our communities and businesses across the county."
Cllr Crane was first elected as a councillor in 1999 and previously served as leader of the former Selby District Council before local government reorganisation created North Yorkshire Council in 2023.
Meanwhile, Cllr Dadd is due to step down as the councillor for Thirsk at next year's North Yorkshire Council elections after 22 years in the role.
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