Mary Lanigan: Who is Redcar and Cleveland Council's new leader?

Read: How former leader George Dunning's resignation unfolded today

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s new leader, Councillor Mary Lanigan, is an experienced local politician from the independent side of the tracks.

In March 2002, she was elected to Redcar and Cleveland Council unopposed to be a Loftus ward representative on Loftus Town Council.

At the time, she received a ringing endorsement from Councillor Steve Kay, of the East Cleveland Independents, who called her: “Extremely hard working and dedicated to serving Loftus and the surrounding area.”

In May 2003, she became part of an eight-strong independent group on the borough council.

And in May 2005, when the council’s 28-strong Labour group took control of the authority, thanks to support from Cllr Lanigan and fellow independent Mike Findley, she was named Cabinet member for highways, transportation and planning.

A regular campaigner for better bus services, she has had several spats with bus company Arriva over the years.

And in 2009, she hit the headlines after suggesting a proposed 3.75% rise in council tax levels might not be enough.

In February 2013, East Cleveland Independent councillors Steve Kay and Barry Hunt and two independents - Stuart Smith and Cllr Lanigan - joined forces to form a new political body on the council, The Independent Group.

Cllr Kay was elected group leader, with Cllr Lanigan deputy leader - subsequently becoming its leader

As an Easington resident, she has always taken a keen interest in East Cleveland issues.

In March 2013, for example, with the borough council tax increase set at 1.97%, she pointed out that Loftus council taxpayers were also facing a 17.23% rise in its parish precept.

She said: “We are one of the most deprived wards in the borough and you are pushing people to the brink. You have think about people out there.”

Her recent roles have included membership of the council’s regulatory (planning) committee and its Executive Scrutiny Board.

And now the council she leads has just weeks to finalise its budget for 2015-16.