The leadership teams of the two main political groups in the Swindon Borough Council chamber have been agreed for the next year.

And it will be a set of opponents very familiar with each other.

After a very satisfactory set of election results for the ruling Labour group, the 41 councillors in the group re-elected Councillor Jim Robbins as their leader, and Councillor Emma Bushell as his deputy unopposed.

Cllr Robbins said: “Delighted to announce that Emma Bushell  and I have been re-elected as the leader and deputy leader of Swindon Labour group.

“Huge thanks to all of our colleagues for your trust in us. Looking forward to another great year building a better Swindon.”

Cllr Robbins will now serve another 12 months as the leader of the council.

Cllr Bushell will be deputy leader as also the cabinet member for organisational oversight.

Facing the pair for the Conservatives will be Councillor Gary Sumner, who held on to his seat in Ridgeway earlier this month, as the group’s leader and he will be supported by Councillor Dale Heenan as deputy leader.

He said: “Our focus in the year ahead will be on holding the Labour administration to account for the promises made to residents in the elections, both this year and last year.

“We will continue to work collaboratively, but want to ensure that their big promises have outcomes.”