Power broking leads to new-shape cabinet

The coup is the result of a political shift by a majority of Independent councillors away from the Liberal Democrats, handing control to Tory leader Roger Phillips.

Other changes include an increase in cabinet seats from 8 to 10 and the appointment of Independent leader George Hyde as deputy to Councillor Phillips. Details are expected to be confirmed at the first full meeting of the unitary authority on May 23.

Councillor Phillips said: "What I hope to bring to the council is a strong commitment to the community and a belief that what we have in Herefordshire is very special.

"We have to work hard to maintain it and cannot take it for granted."

The dramatic changes follow an election that returned only marginal losses for the controlling Liberal Democrats, down three, an extra two seats for the Independents and no change for the Tories.

With Labour historically aligned to the Liberals it was the Independent group with its 16 seats that held the balance of power.

Though no announcement has been made, it is thought the cabinet seats will be split evenly between the two controlling groups leaving Labour and Liberal Democrats to form the opposition.

Outgoing Leader Terry James said: "I am rather disappointed that those who fought the election on an agenda that was anti party politics have joined the Conservatives in power.

"They have deceived the electorate."

At least one Independent will remain outside the ruling coalition. He is Sebastian Bowen, councillor for Bircher ward, who decided he could not align himself with the Tories.

He said: "I was voted in as an Independent not as a Tory and that is how I think I should represent my ward."

With political horse-trading done attention will now focus on the direction the new council will take.

Key issues a new administration has to deal with include social services, the Edgar Street development, Sydonia Pool and the state of the county's economy.

The Conservatives remain firmly behind the Edgar Street Grid development and with a new cabinet seat for rural regeneration Cllr Phillips hopes to concentrate on developing the right conditions for the county's economy to flourish.

He said: "We have a weak and vulnerable economy that is highly dependent on old industries.

"What we can do in the council is help create the right environment for the economy to thrive.

"The new industrial access roads in Rotherwas and Leominster should help do that."

However, the Conservatives are taking over just weeks after the council adopted a 14.5 per cent council tax hike, a move they bitterly opposed.

In an alternative budget proposed at that time the Tories promised to look at services, where Cllr Phillips believes changes may be necessary.

"One of the first areas to look at is social services. We have seen problems of overspend.

"There has to be some clear focus given to that department.

"It is extremely important to people's lives especially those vulnerable members of society."

But with just six years' experience in local government and the most important job in the county, 44-year-old Councillor Phillips will be relying heavily on the thousands of staff who run council services.

He said: "I think we have some very committed and talented staff that have done and will continue to do good things for the county."

l WHILE the face of local politics in Herefordshire goes from yellow to blue, faces at Hereford's Liberal Democrat Party headquarters are turning slowly red.

Ignoring all evidence to the contrary, the website of Hereford MP Paul Keetch reports the Liberal Democrat proudly declaring victory in the polls for his party.

Mr Keetch said: "This was a very successful night for the Liberal Democrats, nationally and locally...I am delighted that Terry James has been returned to continue to run the council."

Mr Keetch has planted his Liberal-Democrat flag on a council that has agreed in principle to return Conservative Councillor Roger Phillips to be its next leader.