LYE and Stourbridge North councillor Pete Lowe has been elected as the new leader of the Labour group on Dudley Council.

Cllr Lowe has been named leader-elect of Dudley Council – and is set to take over as boss of the authority from Councillor David Sparks, who announced last week that he would be stepping down as leader after a two-and-a-half-year stint.

The father-of-two, who is also Labour’s prospective Parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge, will officially take over the top role at the next full council meeting on Monday (December 1).

Cllr Lowe, who has served as a Dudley councillor for ten years and as the authority’s deputy leader for the last 18 months, said: “I am delighted to have been elected leader of the Labour group on Dudley Council.

“David is going to be a tough act to follow. He’s a very close political and personal friend and has given incredible service to Dudley for many years.

“We are in difficult times, but on Dudley Council we are investing to create apprenticeships for young people and protect much-loved services.”