COUNCILLORS from Ledbury and Bromyard have emerged in key positions in the new administration governing Herefordshire.

Ledbury councillor Peter Harling is the new chairman of Herefordshire Council and will oversee full council meetings and act as the public face of the authority.

Mr Harling, a former Mayor of Ledbury and chairman of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "It is more than an honour and I'm delighted."

Liberal Democrat Terry James (Kington) will remain as council leader, after he successfully recruited minority parties to form a coalition. The opposition will consist of the Conservative group.

Marcle Ridge councillor Don Rule is one of two Independents on the seven-strong ruling cabinet and has taken the education portfolio.

Education accounts for almost half of all Herefordshire Council spending, at almost £63 million.

Coun Rule, also a former chairman of Malvern Hills District Council, is a governor at Much Marcle Primary School and a former governor of Eastnor Primary.

He has also served on a number of education working parties for the Local Government Association.

Coun Rule conceded that he faced a considerable task, particularly as the performance of the education authority will be examined by the Government's Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) later this year.

Fellow Independent Chris Grover, who represents Bromyard, has also joined the cabinet with the environment portfolio, which includes planning and building control, highways and transportation, trading standards and environmental health.

"I think it's a challenge and I look forward to working with the officers to try and produce the right answers for Herefordshire," he said.

He also criticised the Conservative decision not to join a coalition, saying: "When I put my election manifesto out, I said I do not believe in politics in local government.

"I am sad the Conservatives are in opposition, their interpretation is that they are making a contribution but it would be far better if we had a choice of seven cabinet members from 60 councillors.

"At the moment its reduced to 39 councillors because the Conservatives are not prepared to put themselves in a position of responsibility."

The new Conservative leader, Coun Olwyn Barnett (Mortimer), said: "I don't agree. I think we can provide very robust scrutiny, that's going to be our job.

"Unlike Independent members, at least we know who we are and what we are. We shall make a very positive contribution outside the cabinet."