THE first female leader of Newport City Council has become the first-ever woman to be elected as the head of an organisation representing the interests of local government across Wales.

Cllr Debbie Wilcox became council leader last May and today was elected as leader of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

Writing on Twitter she said she was “delighted an honoured” to take up the role.

Congratulating Cllr Wilcox on her appointment, Wales’ local government secretary Mark Drakeford said: “I am sure she will lead the WLGA with the utmost professionalism and expertise in the years ahead.

“This is a very significant moment for the WLGA which today sees the election of its first female leader since the body was created in 1996.”

He added: “We also now have a new generation of councillors in Wales, all of whom will bring new ideas, different ways of doing things and a fresh perspective.

“I hope to continue the constructive working relationship I’ve had with the WLGA since I took up this post last year.”