SIX new posts have been created at Gloucestershire County Council, following the election of a new leader.

The new leader is Cllr Mark Hawthorne who represents the Moreland division of the county council and replaces Cllr Barry Dare who has stepped down after five years at the helm.

Cllr Hawthorne said he was honoured to be elected leader and hoped he could live up to the example set by Barry Dare.

He warned, however: "There are tough times ahead for this county, but I promise residents that I will give them and this council 100 prcent effort over the coming years."

At the same meeting, Cllr Hawthorne announced the names and roles of nine cabinet members who would support him, as well as six new "cabinet champions".

The Cabinet is made up of nine senior councillors, all from the controlling Conservative group.

The deputy leader and cabinet member for Children & Young People is Cllr Paul McLain.

Other cabinet members are: Cllr Jackie Hall (Education & Skills); Cllr Tony Hicks (Adult Social Care), Cllr Antonia Noble ( Caring & Community Services), Cllr Ray Theodoulou (Finance), Cllr David Thorpe (Change), Cllr Stan Waddington ( Highways & Waste), Cllr Chas Fellows ( Economy & Environment), and Cllr Will Windsor-Clive (Community Safety & Youth).

For the first time six cabinet champions will work with cabinet members on high profile areas of the business. These are: Cllr Ron Allen ( Child Poverty), Cllr Kathy Williams (Older People), Cllr Brian Robinson (Value for Money), Cllr Vernon Smith ( Flooding), Cllr Fiona McKenzie (Climate Change) and Cllr Phil Awford (Equalities).

Appointments were also made to scrutiny committees and outside bodies. For a full list, visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk