Scooterfest will be allowed to use the Trestle Market and stalls will be able to return to Derby Street as part of the new Staffordshire Moorlands District Council leader's plans since being voted in.

Leek Nub News reported recently how the new leader of the district council was officially confirmed following a vote taken at a meeting on Wednesday evening (4th May).

The current leader, Cllr Sybil Ralphs, has now been removed, with Cllr Paul Roberts being elected as the new leader.

Following his appointment as leader, Cllr Roberts has now announced two significant changes which represent a U-turn on the council's decisions under Cllr Ralphs' leadership.

He says that conversations will now take place with a view to allowing Scooterfest to use the Trestle Market. The popular festival in Leek was previously told they could no longer use the building as it was due to be refurbished - a decision that caused some controversy among councillors and residents.

Traders have also been told that the market can now move back to Derby Street, after it was previously moved from Derby Street to Market Place.

The market is due to move back to Derby Street as early as Wednesday (11th May).

Cllr Roberts said: "I am extremely pleased to be formally confirmed as leader by the Full Council, and am looking forward to making positive change for the people of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

"My very first job as leader will be to immediately engage with the organisers of Scooterfest to arrange use of Leek's Trestle Market for their upcoming event. In addition, having listened to residents views, I will also be reviewing capital spending projects such as the trestle market refurbishment and the car park strategy.

"Having already met with market traders to discuss their views on the market and its future, I have already agreed that the market will move back on to Derby Street from Wednesday 11 May, along with the reopening of the car park on Market Square to hopefully drive footfall."

Cllr Roberts also announced a new Cabinet team for the council, which can be found listed below:

• Himself, Leader responsible for Planning and the Corporate Plan;
• Mark Deaville, Deputy Leader, responsible for Sports and Leisure;
• Ross Ward responsible for Communities and Procurement;
• James Aberley responsible for Customer Services, ICT, Parking and Assets;
• Mike Worthington responsible for Finance;
• Sav Scalise responsible for Environment and Waste Collection;
• Keith Flunder responsible for Tourism, Arts and Culture and Regeneration;
• Joe Porter responsible for Climate Change and Biodiversity.

If people want to put forward their ideas and suggestions that they would like to see in the Staffordshire Moorlands they have been asked to email [email protected]