THE new chair of North Yorkshire County Council is “keen” to support businesses, organisations and charities as much as possible as they emerge from the pandemic.

Councillor Stuart Martin, a retired firefighter, was elected chair for the coming 12 months in Wednesday’s annual general meeting of the council.

“I am looking forward to supporting organisations and charities as much as possible as we open up”, said Cllr Martin, who has been a county councillor since 2017.

He added: “It is essential that the civic side of things carries on and whoever is in this role continues to support businesses and the community.

“It is vital we open slowly and don’t rush things, but as things open up I am keen to help.”

Mr Martin also said he is looking to set up a ‘chairman’s fund’ to support charities that have taken a hit.

Among his ambitions, Cllr Martin hopes to find an opportunity to mark both VE Day and VJ Day, as last year the pandemic curtailed major commemorations.

On the council, he sits on the Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee and the Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.