Cambridgeshire County Council’s Liberal Democrats have named Lucy Nethsingha as their new leader.

Cllr Nethsingha takes over from Maurice Leeke who led the group for the last two years.

She paid tribute to Cllr Leeke saying that he had done a great job and his experience of leadership for a council in no overall control was enormously valuable for the Lib Dems and the council as a whole.

“Now that the committee system is in place and working well he and I felt it was a good time for a change,” said Cllr Nethsingha, who represents Cambridge’s Newnham ward on Cambridgeshire County Council.

She says she is delighted to become the only female leader in the council, but acknowledges the county council faces some extremely difficult years.

“The newly elected Conservative government has already made clear that they will continue with the cuts which have put the County Council in an impossible position financially,” she said.

“My top priority as leader will be to fight hard to protect our public services where ever I can.

“Fighting to defend our libraries will be only the first of many battles we are facing defending our public services for the people of Cambridgeshire.”