Cllr Scott Hussey, who holds the Adult Social Care and Public Health portfolio, will now chair Norfolk's Health and Wellbeing Board after councillors backed his appointment by 44 votes to 31, with one abstention.

The board brings together senior figures from the NHS, public health, social care and other services to plan how health and care needs across Norfolk are met. The chair plays a key role in setting its direction.

Opposition councillors attempted to redirect the appointment to Cllr Wendy Atkinson, the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and SEND. The amendment was proposed by Cllr Maxine Webb and seconded by Cllr Jenny Knight, but was defeated on a show of hands before the main vote proceeded.

The appointment came on the same day councillors raised concerns about the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, where the planned rebuild has slipped a further year to 2033. Cllr Rob Colwell called on the Leader to seek assurances from health bosses that core life-saving services at the hospital would not be downgraded in the meantime.