The next leader of Lancashire County Council is set to be Cllr Stephen Atkinson.
Earlier today, Cllr Atkinson was elected as the leader of the Reform UK group on the council, which holds the majority of council seats following the election on May 1.
It is expected that Cllr Atkinson will be ratified as council leader at a meeting of the full council on May 22.
During the meeting, councillors who have been selected to form the council's cabinet will also be unveiled.
The cabinet of a council is responsible for day-to-day decision making across the full range of services as well as making recommendations on policy, strategy and budget issues to the full council.
Cllr Atkinson, 55, who represents the division of Ribble Valley South West, served as leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council, representing the Conservatives from January 2019 until he stood down earlier this year.
Born in Lancashire, a self-trained engineer, he started his first business venture with his brother at the age of 21.
Together they now run a Lancashire-based educational furniture business as well as invest in commercial and industrial properties in the area.
Cllr Atkinson, who is married with two sons, and describes himself as a devoted family man, said in his spare time he has a great love for the outdoors, enjoying walking, skiing, motorcycling and sailing.
He said: "I am passionate about Lancashire and can't wait to start working to ensure the council delivers excellent services for all our residents.
"Together with my fellow councillors I will be looking to focus our policies on what is most important to residents so we can make a real difference.
"I'm also very much looking forward to working with officers as we build a better future for our county."
Cllr Simon Evans, member for Skelmersdale Central, was also elected deputy leader of the Reform UK group earlier today and is expected to be ratified as deputy leader at the full council on May 22.
Reform won 53 of 84 available seats at the Lancashire County Council elections earlier this month, including seven out of 10 in the Lancaster and Morecambe District.
Gary Kniveton, Brian Moore, Graeme Austin, Graham Dalton, Russell Walsh, Shaun Cummins and Martyn Sutton were all elected to the county council.
The result was echoed across Lancashire as Reform won overall control of the county council from the Conservatives.
The previous majority party were reduced from 46 seats to eight and Labour went down to just five seats in the county.
The other three seats locally were won by the Greens, increasing their number of overall seats on the county council to four. The Liberal Democrats have five. There are four independents, three councillors not specified and two representing Our West Lancashire.
Lancashire residents asked for views on police funding
New scheme to display names of residents on North West air ambulances
Investigation closed into prisoner's death at Lancaster hospital
LISTEN: How Lancaster life coach aims to spread Christmas cheer this year
Lancaster schoolgirl's design wins Mayor’s Christmas card competition
Heysham Power Stations worker wins coveted Apprentice of the Year award
Iconic former Morecambe hotel and nightclub set to go under the hammer
Record-breaking funding expected for Morecambe events and festivals
Police release video clip as search for missing Lancaster University student continues
TV star Brian Cox pays a visit to Lancaster’s Police Museum
Morecambe Football Club confirm details of Fans’ Forum
Multiple people treated after carbon monoxide leak at Morecambe address
Heysham Power Stations alarm tests planned for Christmas Day and New Year's Day
LISTEN: St John's Hospice in Lancaster set for 40th anniversary year
Second earthquake in a month shakes Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
LISTEN: Lancaster Samaritans are there for you at Christmas
WATCH and LISTEN: Lancaster band's new music video for song written by Morecambe schoolchildren
Safer Pod launched to make Lancaster safer during ‘Winter of Action’
Police make two arrests after pedestrian critically injured in Morecambe hit and run
D-Day war hero, 101, to receive Freedom of City of Lancaster
