HEREFORD and South Herefordshire MP Jesse Norman has a top Commons job.

Mr Norman is to chair the culture, media and sport select committee, having won through against five other contenders for the role in a secret ballot yesterday.

In the last parliament, Mr Norman took a lead on issues related to his new brief including opening backbench debates on non-league and grassroots football, rural broadband, and poor mobile phone coverage.

He also made cases for arts and culture, better football regulation and improved broadband in numerous articles and broadcasts.

 Mr Norman comes to culture, media and sport having served on the Treasury committee where he was recognised for work identifying issues with PFI contracts and the scope for millions of pounds in savings.

On his foreseeable “to do” list are the BBC charter and licence fee, press freedom, broadband and football governance.

 But he also wants to have the committee looking at mobile services and fairer funding for localised arts and broadcast media.

Four other Tory MPs were in the running for the role: Damian Green, Damian Collins, Jason McCartney and Graham Stuart.

The secret ballot of all Members of Parliament closed at 5pm yesterday with votes counted under the Alternative Vote system.

Other members of the committee will nominated by the House in the coming weeks.