A BOURNEMOUTH councillor has become the youngest political group leader in the borough's history.

Independent councillor for Throop and Muscliff Kieron Wilson, 23, has taken over from his Green Party colleague Cllr Simon Bull as leader of the Independent and Green Group.

The pair, who with Independent councillor Stephen Bartlett form the only opposition on the Tory-dominated authority, set up the group to obtain better representation on committees.

Cllr Wilson, who was elected in January to replace long-serving Independent Anne Rey on her resignation, said he was "proud" to have the honour of holding the ruling group to account.

"I hope to do my best as group leader, it will be a fight, but I’m ready for it," he said.

"Whilst I’m proud of this fact, what will make me prouder is using my new position to lobby for two main things before the next elections in May.

"The first is to conserve the green belt around the conurbation by putting pressure on the council to abandon their plans for the A338, as well as continuing to listen to residents whilst the plans for Hicks Farm continue to form."

He said his second goal in the short term was to urge the council to increase funding for the Housing First pilot scheme, "which according to the housing and homelessness manager has had phenomenal results".

"For just £48,000 a year we have been able to house and support 12 people who would have otherwise rough sleeping.

"In terms of value for money and effectiveness for results there hasn’t been anything better"

Cllr Wilson had the backing of Anne Rey during the election, which he won with 533 votes to the Conservative candidates' 511.

At the time, he said Bournemouth's homelessness problem was a major priority, as well as parking and traffic around schools.