Ken Rhatigan is set to continue as leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, it has been revealed.

The Conservative, who took over as leader of the council in 2019, led his party to a majority at elections earlier this month.

Now, full council is set to ratify him to continue as leader of the council for the next four years at its annual meeting.

Updated papers ahead of tomorrow night's meeting, which will be held at the Haymarket theatre, reveal that only one nomination has been received for the next leader of the council, for Cllr Rhatigan (Tadley North, Kingsclere and Baughurst).

BDBC was under 'no overall control' with a Conservative minority administration, but the Tories won enough councillors to take majority control of the authority.

The group of 33 councillors were due to meet last night to decide on who should led the party, and council administration, with Cllr Rhatigan coming out on top.

In an interview with The Gazette on polling day, he had expected competition for the role.

Additionally, the meeting papers sets out his picks for the new cabinet, with the same faces as before fulfilling different roles.

Cllr Simon Bound (Rooksdown and Sherborne St John) is set to remain as deputy leader, as well as cabinet member with responsibility for communities, but will also take responsibility for planning and infrastructure.

Cllr Rebecca Bean's (Hatch Warren and Beggarwood) portfolio will cover health, wellbeing and leisure, shifting from borough development and improvement, whilst Cllr Hayley Eachus (Kempshott and Buckskin) will move from environment and enforcement to the similar role of recycling, waste and regulatory services.

The portfolio holder for finance and service improvement, Cllr Hannah Golding (Oakley and the Candovers), will now have the brief of economic development.

Cllr John Izett (Evingar) will shift from regeneration and property to finance and major projects, whilst Cllr Tristan Robinson (Rooksdown and Sherborne St John) will look after homes and housing regeneration - a similar brief to homes and families which he had fulfilled prior to the election.

But the biggest shift is in the portfolio of Cllr Mark Ruffell (Basing and Upton Grey), who will now focus on the natural environment and climate improvement.

The meeting papers also reveal the chairs of the various council committees, which are proposed as follows:

  • Scrutiny - Cllr Tony Jones (LAB, South Ham), taking over from Paul Frankum, who stood down.
  • Economic, Planning and Housing - Cllr Stuart Frost (CON, Tadley North, Kingsclere and Baughurst).
  • Community, Environment and Partnerships - Cllr Jenny Vaux (CON, Chineham), taking over from Cllr Paul Gaskell.
  • Manydown Overview - Cllr Diane Taylor (CON, Oakley and the Candovers, retiring mayor), taking over from Cllr Nick Robinson.
  • Development Control - Cllr Nick Robinson (CON, Bramley), taking over from Cllr Paul Miller, who is set to become deputy mayor.
  • Licensing - Cllr David Leeks (CON, Tadley and Pamber).
  • Human Resources - Cllr Laura Edwards (CON, Chineham).
  • Audit and Accounts - Cllr Graham Falconer (CON, Evingar), taking over from Roger Gardiner, who stood down.
  • Standards - Ms Verity Murricane (Independent standards assessor), taking over from Chris Evans.
  • Investigation and Disciplinary - Cllr Hannah Golding (CON, Oakley and the Candovers)

All appointments need to be ratified by full council tomorrow (Thursday) evening.