THERE will be no change in the leadership at both Bromsgrove district and Worcestershire county councils for the next 12 months.

At the district council's annual meeting last night (Tuesday), Tory councillor Dennis Norton was set to be appointed leader for the second successive year.

He was returned unopposed in the new town centre St John's ward in the May 1 elections, which were won by the Conservatives.

Cllr Rita Taylor (Con-Linthurst) was expected to be confirmed as his deputy - a post she also held last year.

Labour's Cllr Peter McDonald (Waseley) was also set to be re-elected leader of the opposition.

Cllr John Tidmarsh (Con-Stoke Prior) was due to be elected as chairman of the district council for the coming year, having served as vice chairman for the past year.

Last night the councillors were also due to be appointed to various committees and as representatives on outside bodies.

Last Thursday, Dr George Lord (Con-Alvechurch) from Belle Vue Close, Marlbrook, made it a hat-trick when he was elected leader of Worcestershire County Council for the third year running.

Cllr Lord is ultimately responsible for the authority's £440m a year budget and its 14,000 staff.

l Last year conscientious councillor Jill Dyer was the only member of Bromsgrove District Council to have a 100 per cent attendance record.

The Conservative councillor for Drakes Cross and Walkers Heath attended all 69 meetings she was scheduled to be at.

Other councillors with an impressive attendance record included Labour's deputy leader Colin Wilson, who scored 38 from a possible 39.

At the other end of the scale were the Tory Dermid Gardener, who did not stand for re-election and who was present at 13 meetings from a possible 38, and Richard Deeming. He failed to be selected to stand and notched up 34 out of a possible 52 meetings.