A former police officer is being lined up to replace Cllr Keane Duncan as North Yorkshire’s highways chief, the Stray Ferret understands.

Former journalist Cllr Duncan resigned from Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council's 10-person cabinet last week following a fall-out with leader Carl Les.

According to sources, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, who lives in Alne and represents Huby and Tollerton, will replace him as executive member for highways and transportation. He is expected to be one of two new faces on Cllr Les’ executive.

Cllr Taylor describes himself on his X profile as a “Proud Yorkshireman living the dream in the Vale of York. North Yorkshire Councillor, former cop, family man.” Many of his recent posts are about Scarborough Athletic FC.

He chairs the council’s housing and leisure overview and scrutiny committee, sits on five other committees and is a member of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, which scrutinises the performance of David Skaith, the Labour mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and his deputy Jo Coles.

Roofer promoted

Cllr Les is also expected to remove Cllr Greg White, the executive member for managing our environment who represents Kirkbymoorside and Dales, from the cabinet, which is also referred to as the executive,

Sources indicate roofer Cllr Richard Foster, who represents Wharfedale, will replace him. He currently chairs the Skipton and Ripon area constituency committee and sits on five other committees.

Cllr Foster also chairs the overview and scrutiny committee for York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which the mayor oversees.

According to his register of interest, he is a self-employed roofer who lives in Hebden, near Skipton, and a governor of Airedale NHS Trust.