New leader appointed at Sheffield Council

The ruling Labour Group selected councillor Johnson tonight following the resignation of Julie Dore.

He beat fellow candidate, Gleadless councillor Lewis Dagnall, by 33 votes to nine.

He will formally replace Coun Dore as both Labour and council leader in January, when his position will be officially ratified by a meeting of the full council.

It will be a fresh start for the council in the New Year as Kate Josephs will join as the new chief executive and a new leadership may also prompt a Cabinet reshuffle.

Sheffield born and bred, Coun Johnson has represented Hillsborough ward since 2011 and is currently Cabinet member for transport and development.

As a Cabinet member he has dealt with some of the most controversial issues in the city including the long-awaited Local Plan, the Clean Air Zone in the city centre, public transport, parking problems and cycle lanes.

Coun Dore announced her intention to leave when her term as councillor came to an end at last May’s local elections but polling day was cancelled when the pandemic hit.

She carried on as leader but decided a fortnight ago that now was the right time to depart.

A councillor for Park and Arbourthorne for 20 years, she will continue to represent the ward until her term ends in May.

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