THREE candidates have been nominated to become the next leader of the Conservative group on Suffolk County Council, it has been confirmed.

Adult and community services portfolio holder Colin Noble has been a cabinet member since 2009, and has been seen as the “heir apparent” to former leader Jeremy Pembroke.

Transport and planning portfolio holder Guy McGregor has been nominated and is likely to be seen as the “compromise” candidate – as someone from within the cabinet but who sees a need for a change in direction at the top.

And scrutiny committee chairman Mark Bee is seen as the “outsider” candidate who would bring a change of emphasis to the county – although it would remain true to Conservative principles.

As leader of Waveney Council, he already has experience of leading a local authority.

Whoever is elected leader at Monday’s meeting of the Conservative group would be expected to take over as leader of the county council at the annual meeting of the authority on May 26.

In the meantime Jane Storey will remain interim leader of the council.

She is standing unopposed for the position of deputy leader of the Conservative group in Monday’s election.

The meeting at which the new leader will be elected takes place on Monday morning, starting at 10am.

After the candidates address the 54-strong group there will be a vote.

If no one gets a majority, the candidate with the lowest number of votes will drop out and there will be a run-off between the two remaining nominees.