SALISBURY City Council's Conservative group has elected Councillor Eleanor Wills as its new group leader. 

Cllr Wills, 28, was only elected to the council in July last year, replacing Paul Cunningham. 

Long-serving city Cllr Sven Hocking will serve as her deputy. 

Her predecessor Charles McGrath stepped down earlier this year for health reasons, and since then Cllr Jo Broom has been acting as interim leader. 

Cllr Wills says she wants to see a return to "common sense decision making", something which she says has been lacking in the council in recent months. 

She will be the group's fifth permanent leader in two-and-a-half years. 

Since Cllr Jeremy Nettle stood down as leader in October 2020, Cllrs Liz Sirman, Paul Cunningham and Charles McGrath have all held the post. 

Cllr Wills was one of the people who called for last week's controversial Parish Meeting, after a 44 per cent increase in the city's council tax was confirmed. 

Speaking to the Journal, Cllr Wills said: "After last week’s meeting, it’s clear that Salisbury residents want change.

"This means new leadership and a vision that delivers for our amazing city."

Her priorities include revitalising Salisbury’s economy, driving up footfall and getting better events in the city, delivering clean and safe streets, protecting the environment including looking after local parks, "delivering the basics like better playgrounds and community facilities", and increasing community engagement. 

Cllr Wills added: “I want to make sure that residents have their voice heard while holding the Labour, Lib Dem and independent administration to account.

"I was born in Salisbury and I could not be prouder to be a Councillor in the Ward I grew up in. To now lead the Conservative group is a complete privilege.”

Cllr Wills also spoke of the talented Conservative team that will be working under her leadership. 

Cllr Wills has been writing as a column for the Journal in recent months, but is now stepping away from this, but not because of her election as group leader.