COUNCILLOR Susan Hinchcliffe is set to become the new leader of Bradford Council after being elected to head the ruling Labour group last night.

After outgoing leader Councillor David Green completed his four-year term, the Windhill and Wrose councillor was successful in a leadership ballot at the Labour group's annual meeting last night.

She will be formally nominated as council leader at the authority's annual meeting on May 17. 

Cllr Hinchcliffe said: "I’m hugely proud to have been chosen by my fellow Labour councillors to lead my home city at this challenging but exciting time.

"I want to pay tribute to the work of my predecessor Cllr Dave Green.

"He took on the mantle of leadership at an extremely difficult time for our Party and brought about major change and significant improvements for our district – he stands down with Bradford in far, far better shape than when he became leader.

"Now I want to take us to the next level. As a Bradfordian who has had great opportunities from a comprehensive education and upbringing here, I want even better for future generations.

"I want Bradford to fulfil our potential - to be known for our distinct brand of energy, diversity and entrepreneurialism.

"I want us to have strong ties with other major cities and increase our national positive profile.

"We know more disproportionate and damaging cuts are on their way from David Cameron’s Tory government and I’ll stand up against them, but we can’t stand by and wait for a change in Westminster.

"Bradford needs to punch above its weight now on the regional and national stage, and that’s what I’ll aim to provide in my leadership."

Cllr Green retained his Wibsey seat in last week's council elections, which also saw net gains of three seats for Labour.

Speaking after his election win last week, Cllr Green said: "I'm going to continue working hard to represent Wibsey and I hope, depending on the outcome of the annual general meeting, to continue in the administration of the council at City Hall."

Cllr Green said he did not want to make any further comment last night.

The leaders of the council’s Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups have both been re-elected unopposed.

In the Conservative group, leader Councillor Simon Cooke (Bingley Rural) and deputy leader Councillor John Pennington (Bingley) both stood unopposed at a meeting of Tory councillors, despite a tough local elections for their party which saw them lose two councillors.

Cllr Cooke said: “From our point of view it is very pleasing that even though we didn’t have a great night last week, there is still a sense of unity and purpose to what we are doing.”

The Liberal Democrat group also re-elected its group leader, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, unopposed.

Newly-elected Councillor Riaz Ahmed (Bradford Moor) will become the deputy group leader. Cllr Sunderland said Cllr Ahmed had a “wealth of experience”.