New Rotherham Labour leader: "Culture must change"

THE new Labour group leader of Rotherham Borough Council has vowed to change its culture — but insisted he is proud to be appointed.

Wickersley councillor Chris Read (pictured) was elected group leader on Tuesday evening — two weeks after the resignation of Cllr Paul Lakin, who also quit as a councillor.

Despite his election, Cllr Read - who was elected to the council less than four years ago - will not enjoy the power of his predecessors as the council is due imminently to be taken over from Government commissioners in the wake of two damning reports into its handling of child sex exploitation.

Cllr Read told the Advertiser this morning: “We need to change the culture of Rotherham Council.

“I’m in no doubt about the challenge ahead but Rotherham is my town and I’m proud to be allowed to serve it at this important time.”