The Isle of Wight Council has elected a new chair - but it took a casting vote to make it happen.

Former vice chair Cllr Karl Love, of the Alliance Group, has tonight (Wednesday) been chosen for the role of chair, taking over from Cllr Claire Critchison.

He was nominated by former council leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox of the Alliance Group, while Cllr Peter Spink, of the Empowering Islanders group, put forward Cllr Chris Jarman, also of Empowering Islanders.

Both councillors secured 19 votes from across the chamber.

The tie meant it fell to the Alliance's Cllr Critchison to give a casting vote and she picked Cllr Love.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Addressing the chamber for the first time as chair, Cllr Love said: "Thank you everyone for your support this evening. 

"I will try my best to be fair and supportive to everyone in this chamber.

"It is a special moment for me and it's a great privilege and I'm very humbled."

"I would like to thank Claire for her role in the last year. You have been a great ambassador for the council in this role."

Outgoing chair, Cllr Critchison, whose last public engagement was opening the dementia cafe in Cowes, said: "My year has been a fantastic opportunity. It's given me so many occasions to represent and support the community. 

For the position of vice chair, Cllr Ian Dore, of the Alliance Group, and Conservative Cllr Vanessa Churchman were both nominated.

With 20 votes to Cllr Dore's 19, Cllr Churchman was elected vice chair.

The additional vote came from Cllr Geoff Brodie, who was not present for the first vote.