A CONSERVATIVE has been voted in as the new vice-chairman of BCP Council.

Councillor Laurence Fear was elected to the role at the council’s annual meeting on Tuesday, despite being a member of the opposition group.

He will serve as deputy to Christchurch Independent councillor David Flagg who was chosen for the main role for a second year.

Cllr Flagg was nominated by his fellow group member, and cabinet member, councillor Lesley Dedman who said being a new council, it needed “stability and continuity”.

She said he had “proven his abilities” and had been the “friendly face” promoting the council.

He beat the Conservative group’s nominee for the position, councillor Anne Filer, by 41 votes to 34.

However, his deputy for the past year, Labour councillor George Farquhar lost a vote against Cllr Fear for the vice-chairman role by 39 votes to 36.

Voting in both cases was carried out through a secret ballot.

Cllr Fear was put forward for the position by fellow Conservative councillor David Kelsey who said it would be “very good” for the council to have one of its younger representatives take on the role.

“He will listen to the younger voters and be able to appeal to them,” he said. “It’s time we tried to encourage more young people into local politics and I think Laurence will add to the diversity of this council.

“He’s enthusiastic and keen, particularly on mental health matters, and I think he will be the ideal person to be vice-chairman.”

Speaking during Tuesday’s meeting, councillor Fear said he would bring forward “appropriate principles” during council debates.

“Used appropriately, full council meetings can be used to challenge, inspire, illuminate and inform,” he said.

“Open debate should flourish to enable all views to be heard and conclusions based on reasoned argument, collaboration and consensus.

“These are the appropriate principles I will bring as vice-chairman.”

Both Cllr Flagg and Cllr Fear were sworn into their roles during Tuesday’s meeting.