Steve Count will be the new leader of the Conservative group and the likely new leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, it was announced today (Friday).

Cllr Count, who represents March North, will take over from Cllr Martin Curtis who announced he was quitting after a year in charge because he felt the authority was heading for “petty politics” and “infighting”.

A county councillor for three years and the current cabinet member for resources and performance, Cllr Count will take over on May 13.

Cllr Curtis said: “Steve will be an excellent leader who I know will work with the rest of the group in the best interests of the Cambridgeshire communities we serve.

“He has been instrumental in helping the authority meet the massive challenges we have faced, including coping with some of the most serious financial challenges people can remember. Steve has also been at the forefront of helping deliver much-needed transport infrastructure, such as the A14 improvements. He is an excellent choice.”

Cllr Count said: “Martin is a hard act to follow and has delivered hundreds of millions of pounds of investment in Cambridgeshire that will create jobs and prosperity. He remains leader until May and I remain a cabinet member until then. As such it would be wrong of me to say anything further of my plans until I am leader of our group.”

CCC will move from a cabinet system of governance to a committee structure in May, a move created by the opposition groups at Shire Hall and one that made Cllr Curtis resign.

The return of the committee system allows up to 17 councillors to get involved in a specific area of council business and is seen by its supporters as allowing more members a direct say in how the county is run.