Sir Richard Leese elected chairman of 4NW

4NW, the council-led organisation that replaced the North West Regional Assembly, has elected Cllr Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, as its new chairman.

Leese replaces Lord Peter Smith, leader of Wigan. 4NW added that Cllr Paul Findlow, of Cheshire, is standing down to make way for representatives from the two new local authorities, Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester, which will come into being in April.