Devon County Council Lib Dems appoint new leader

A new leader of the Liberal Democrats at Devon County Council has been appointed following the party's success in the local elections.

The Liberal Democrats took 27 of the 60 seats at Devon County Council on Friday, making them the largest party but without a full majority.

Julian Brazil has returned to the helm of the party, having been ousted from the position by Caroline Leaver in January 2024.

Party members said they were looking to work with the six Green Party members and two Independent councillors in running the council, with Reform as the main opposition party after gaining 18 seats.

Brazil said: "I think the group decided they liked the fact I had so much experience as a county councillor, but also as leader of the South Hams, where I'd taken over a new administration."

The new leader said the culture at the county council needed to change and it had to be "more outward looking and work better with partners".

"We need to sort out children's services, it's been failing and we've been letting down some of the most vulnerable people in our communities - that's got to change," he said.

Filling in potholes in Devon was also a priority, he said.

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