WYCOMBE District Council has a new man at the helm after the ousted ex-boss resigned to avoid a leadership contest at a public meeting.

Cllr Richard Scott was sworn in as the leader of the Conservative controlled council last night.

Back in March the Wycombe Conservatives met and Cllr Scott put his name forward to take over the leadership from Cllr Alex Collingwood.

A ballot among the Tory group took place at that meeting and the BFP now understands it was a tight contest between the pair, with Cllr Scott just pipping his rival by 20 votes to 18.

Cllr Collingwood resigned as the authority's chief just minutes before the Annual Council Meeting - side-stepping a formal leadership vote in the process.

He said: “I gave my resignation at 6pm so there’s no requirement for a vote. Thank you to the officers and members for their innovation and execution...I wish Richard well.”

Under Conservative party rules, a new group leader can be elected at each annual Tory meeting.

Cllr Scott, ward member for Marlow South East, said regenerating High Wycombe, delivering the proposed new Wycombe Sports Centre and further improving the council's efficiency were his main priorities.

He also vowed to work closely with businesses and his first act as leader was to reduce the Cabinet down from nine to eight members.

He said: “I am delighted to be the leader and to have the confidence of the council.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Cllr Alex Collingwood for laying the foundations for a number of key projects.”

Cllr Collingwood replaced Cllr Lesley Clarke as WDC leader in 2011, and one of his first acts was to quash the planned 'community stadium' for Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps at Wycombe Air Park in Booker.

Under his tenure the council also committed to building a new sports centre and coachway park-and-ride at Handy Cross, and signed a joint recycling contract with Chiltern District Council.

He said: “In the face of this ever challenging financial climate, and the 40 percent cut in government funding, I am very proud of everything the council has achieved in the last two years.”

Cllr Roger Emmett has replaced Cllr Wendy Mallen as chairman of the council for the next 12 months, with Cllr Clarke to act as his deputy.

The Bucks Free Press will be sitting down with WDC's new leader next week to discuss his plans for the district.

If you have any questions for Cllr Scott, email bfpnews@london.newsquest.co.uk or leave a comment below and we will put them to him.