Bunbury Councillor Michael Jones is the new Leader of Cheshire East Council, despite a late challenge by Nantwich Independent Cllr Arthur Moran.
Cllr Jones, also leader of the Conservative group, won an election after receiving 48 of the 73 votes cast.
Cllr Moran, who ended his year as Nantwich Mayor on Monday, secured 10 votes while Labour challenger Cllr Ken Edwards notched 14 votes.
Cllr Jones will now chair the Cabinet just a year after being elected as a councillor to the authority in May 2011.
He said: “This is a time for us to put Cheshire East first. We want to be inclusive – include more people and work together to drive Cheshire East forward into a new dawn.
“I am honoured and proud to have the confidence of my party group and council members and be elected to lead Cheshire East.
“My Cabinet has a core of the same strong, experienced and committed team – but with the addition of some new energy and talents.
“This council is committed to listening to the people of Cheshire East and seeking to work in partnership – across the political divide – for the benefit of all our customers.
“Under my leadership, the council will be committed to nurturing strong communities, promoting business growth and job creation, modernising Cheshire East, ensuring value for money for taxpayers, getting things right first time, and developing civic pride and respect for our local environment.”
His new Cabinet includes three new members – Cllr Les Gilbert, Cllr Barry Moran and Cllr Peter Raynes.
The full Cabinet is as follows:
Cllr Michael Jones, Council Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet
Cllr David Brown, (Deputy Leader) responsibilities for strategic communities
Cllr Peter Raynes, responsibilities for finance
Cllr Rachel Bailey, responsibilities for communities and regulatory services
Cllr Hilda Gaddum, responsibilities for children and family services
Cllr Janet Clowes, responsibilities for health and adult social care
Cllr Rod Menlove, responsibilities for environment
Cllr Jamie Macrae, responsibilities for prosperity and economic regeneration
Cllr Barry Moran, responsibilities for performance
Cllr Les Gilbert, responsibilities for corporate policy
I think the value for money clause is a double-edged sword. As a local taxpayer, I think we could do with an approach which has some consideration for the huge tax burden on most local residents and seeks some cost reductions to offset the constant year on year demands for more and more money from us, much of which is, as we all know, totally wasted.