THE new leader of St Helens Council hopes to oversee a manifesto that will help make the borough a “beacon” for the 21st century.

The council appointed Cllr Derek Long as the new leader following Barrie Grunewald’s shock resignation amid allegations of a WhatsApp data breach involving St Helens councillors.

Cllr Long, who represents the West Park ward, started the position with immediate effect after a vote at a full council meeting.

His immediate aim is to bring stability to the council.

Cllr Long, the former cabinet member for Liverpool City Region engagement, said he has now “stood back” from his full-time role working in the public sector housing market to focus on leading the council.

He told the Star one of his aims, during his time as leader, is to implement a “manifesto” that maps out the vision for St Helens.

However, fulfilling this long-term aim is likely to depend on the outcome of the Labour Group’s AGM that will follow next week’s local elections.

Cllr Long said an election, where other councillors are expected to contest the leadership, is “inevitable”.

“It boils down to that constitutional process within the Labour Party,” he said.

“People who are eligible to stand for leader or deputy, will be able to do that.”

Nevertheless, he is already planning ahead.

He added: “What I do very clearly see is, what I’ve described as a manifesto for St Helens, will need to be put in place.

“And that’s about the vision for the borough.

“I think we need a vision which is putting St Helens on the map as a beacon for the 21st century as a town.

“A kind of place that will continue to attract investment, continue to develop and transform our town centre and continue to innovate.”

The former senior civil servant’s appointment comes after Cllr Grunewald resigned as leader.

Meanwhile, Cllr Grunewald, who has been suspended by the Labour Party, said he stepped down to allow the police to carry out its investigation, but he has set out his aims of contesting the leadership again in the future.

He said: “With all that’s going on at the moment with the allegations against certain members of my group, I believe that spurious allegations have been levelled at me.

“I hope this is quick as I want to return.”

In his first speech as leader, Cllr Long told fellow councillors he hoped his colleagues could “work together” to take St Helens forwards.

He said: “These are difficult times generally working in government.

“I do not underestimate the importance of the task in front of us.

“I hope we can all work together in the spirit it takes to take St Helens forwards.

“When I open cabinet meetings I always make reference to the fact that we are stewards of 150 years of unbroken accountability looking after the people of St Helens and I’m sure we’re all committed to making sure that goes forward in the future as well.”