The Green Party has made political history by officially taking control of Mid Suffolk District Council - its first local authority in the UK.

Councillor Andy Mellen was elected as new leader at the authority's annual meeting on Monday while Rachel Eburne was appointed his deputy.

In his first speech as leader, Mr Mellen said the administration would re-focus the work of the council in a “greener and more sustainable direction”.

He said the council would take the lead to address challenges faced by communities - such as the cost-of-living, finding an affordable place to live, provision of local services, town centre decline, public transport, and climate change.

He also said the administration wanted to improve the 'liveability' of communities by supporting the provision of key facilities.

"This might be the local pub which also hosts the village post office or the food bank, two examples that are already happening. It could be redundant farm buildings re-purposed as a micro-brewery or a professional services centre, or the village hall which acts as a hub for community life.

“These kind of small businesses and community connections are often what make neighbourhoods work and on which people depend, and we want to build these up and support them.” he said.

On the administration’s approach to the climate emergency, Mr Mellen said: “We must take environmental concerns into account in every decision that we make: how we work; what we invest in; the kind of houses we build, the locations we allow to develop, the type of businesses that we support and encourage, and all the services we provide.”

The authority's new cabinet will be made up of six portfolios.

Cllr Andy Mellen (leader) – Performance and resilience

Cllr Rachel Eburne (deputy leader) – Finance and resources

Cllr Andrew Stringer – Heritage, planning and infrastructure

Cllr Tim Weller – Environment, culture and wellbeing

Cllr Richard Winch – Housing and property

Cllr Teresa Davis – Thriving towns and rural communities

Earlier in the meeting, it was announced that Rowland Warboys would be new council chairman with Rachel Eburne appointed his deputy. Mr Warboys will be supporting two charities during his tenure - Street Forge Workshops in Thornham Magna, and Beyond The Wall - a charity based in the 'Walled Garden' on the Thornham Estate.