Three men confirmed as Nottinghamshire County Council leader contenders

Three men have been confirmed as in the running to be Nottinghamshire County Council's next leader ahead of the imminent departure of Ben Bradley. The ruling Conservative group at the authority will be meeting on Monday morning (November 25) to make a decision between the three from their 34-strong group who have put themselves forward.

Those three are Sam Smith, Richard Jackson and Neil Clarke. Councillor Smith was first to declare he was running and Councillor Jackson's leadership bid became clear on Friday.

The deadline for contenders to put their names forward was midday on Sunday (November 24) and it is understood that Councillor Clarke was the last to throw his hat into the ring. There was uncertainty about whether Councillor Clarke would stand, given that he is also leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Read more about the Nottinghamshire County Council leadership election here.

Yet Nottinghamshire Live understands Councillor Clarke, who serves as the cabinet member for transport on the county council, will go up against his two colleagues on Monday. Voting is set to get underway from 8.30am and all three contenders will take it in turns to make pitches to their Conservative colleagues.

Councillor Smith currently serves as cabinet member for education and SEND and Councillor Jackson is the cabinet member for finance and resources. Councillor Clarke previously launched a failed leadership challenge against Ben Bradley's predecessor, Kay Cutts.

Whoever is chosen is then set to take office at the next full meeting of Nottinghamshire County Council on December 5. The new leader is set to be in office at least until the May 2025 local elections, when the Conservatives will be fighting against opposition parties to try and keep control of the authority they have led in some form since 2017.