THERE are some new faces and old hands on the Cabinet that will lead Hampshire County Council for the next four years.

They are the politicians who will make major decisions on the environment, transport, roads, social services, public health, schools, libraries and country parks.

The number of women has doubled from one to two and there are no longer any octogenarians.

After being elected leader, Roy Perry, 70, announced his top team at the first full meeting of the council yesterday since elections earlier his month.

The former MEP said the council’s aim was to boost prosperity, protect the environment, quality of services for young and old and keep council tax down. Sitting at the top table for the first time are Sean Woodward, Anna Mcnair-Scott, Liz Fairhurst and Andrew Joy.

Mr Woodward takes over environment, transport services and the economy despite also being leader of Fareham Borough Council. Tory chiefs have previously said it was wrong to combine the key roles of Cabinet post on the county council with district council leader.

Mel Kendal, former environment chief, stood down as leader of New Forest District Council.

Speaking after the council meeting, Mr Perry said: “It is a question of time commitments of being an executive member and leader of a district council.

“But Sean assures me that he will have time to do both having disinvested himself from some of his private business. He is an efficient guy.”

Former communications chief Colin Davidovitz lost his seat on the Cabinet but was elected deputy leader of the council.

Mel Kendal, who challenged Mr Perry for the leadership, has been moved to a newly-created finance, energy and resources post.

Staying put is Keith Chapman, executive member for culture or recreation or self-styled “minister of fun” and Peter Edgar for schools.

New portfolios include health, partnerships with outside organisations, finance, energy and resources.

The new Cabinet is: deputy leader and children’s services Keith Mans, environment, transport and the economy Sean Woodward, education and schools Peter Edgar, adult services Anna McNair-Scott, culture and recreation Keith Chapman, organisation and human resources Stephen Reid, finance, energy and resources Mel Kendal, health Liz Fairhurst and partnerships Andrew Joy.

The meeting of the full council also elected veteran ex-council boss Ken Thornber as chairman of the council.

The new make-up of the council is 45 Conservatives, 17 Liberal Democrats, 10 UKIP, four Labour and two Independents.