EFFICIENCY savings, the housing service and the canal project are the top priorities for Stroud District Council’s new leader Frances Roden.

The Conservative was elected to replace Chas Fellows at the full council meeting at Ebley Mill last Thursday night.

"I was very honoured to have been elected," said Cllr Roden, the former deputy leader and cabinet member for housing.

"It is a great challenge and responsibility but it is one which I shall endeavour to do my best with.

"I have learned a tremendous amount about the running of the council and I think I can apply a lot of that as leader."

Cllr Roden, who represents Painswick, said officers would continue seeking efficiency savings to provide services during the recession.

"Efficiency savings are about running services to produce the best value for money – and that is not the same as cuts," she said.

"It is about providing the same services in a different way."

She said she also wanted to better support local businesses.

Cllr Roden vowed to support Debbie Young, new cabinet member for housing, to improve the service after two highly critical reports and the £1.2million overspend.

"We have already done an enormous amount of work to turn it around and that work is continuing," she said.

The Painswick solicitor also pledged to keep lobbying the government to change the council house funding system to allow authorities to plan several years ahead.

Cllr Roden said another challenge would be to deliver the canal project on time and on budget.

"The canal has got the capacity to bring an enormous amount of benefits in terms of regeneration and tourism, as well as leisure activities for the public," she said.

Cllr Roden said she wanted to strengthen recycling in the district following the successfully Stanleys Trial and was considering bringing in banks for cardboard and plastics.