The new leader of Norfolk County Council has set out his priorities to support the growth of the county's economy.

Andrew Proctor, who took the post following former leader Cliff Jordan's death earlier this month, said supporting major sectors such as energy and tourism and key business clusters would be crucial to the council's growth plans.

Meanwhile infrastructure developments including the dualling of the A11 and the completion of the Broadland Northway (formerly the NDR) would help to maximise the benefit of economic growth.

During a panel discussion at the Royal Norfolk Show, Mr Proctor said Norfolk had a 'strong local economy base, not reliant on any one sector'.

'As the new leader of Norfolk County Council, I want to see the local economy grow to help the national economy grow too. Encouraging housing growth, infrastructure, jobs and business growth across the whole county,' he said.

'We need this growth to happen in a managed way, with everyone working together – the LEP [New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership], Chamber [of Commerce], the districts, businesses and communities all involved.'

In his talk Mr Proctor highlighted previous economic successes in the county such as unlocking £30m of investment for Great Yarmouth's outer harbour and supporting the development of Norwich Research Park, including the new £75m Quadram Institute.

But he said, alongside supporting major investments, encouraging new businesses to progress was also a priority, with county council funding going to help start-up programmes at Hethel Engineering Centre and Scottow Enterprise Park.

Going forward, Mr Proctor said housing and infrastructure were the main problems to be addressed to boost economic activity and growth.

A major step in this plan is a £300m investment towards the full dualling of the A47, already secured from the government, while Mr Proctor said investment in broadband services will also be critical.