The new leader of Dudley council has been announced at a meeting of the full council tonight.

Councillor Qadar Zada, former cabinet member for finance, has taken over from Councillor Pete Lowe who announced he was stepping down as leader earlier this month. He said:

“It is a great honour to be leader of the council, something I am very proud to do as I have lived in the Black Country all my life.

“I am passionate about providing the best public services we can and making sure we put the people of this borough first."

Councillor Zada was first elected to the council in 2011 as ward councillor for Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews. He has also served as cabinet member for adult social care and chairman of the development control committee.