THE new leader of Kent County Council has brought in three new names into the authority’s nine-strong Conservative cabinet, the key decision-making body.

A wide-ranging reshuffle, which ties in with a re-structuring of the county council, has also meant new jobs for two who were already in the cabinet.

Maidstone’s Cllr Paul Carter formally took over as leader from Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart on October 12.

The reshuffle has seen the departure from the cabinet of former deputy leader Cllr Sarah Hohler, the member for Malling North.

Her job has been taken by Cllr Alex King, of Tunbridge Wells, who lost out narrowly in the leadership election.

Promoted to the cabinet are Cllr John Simmonds (Canterbury West) who takes on the job of cabinet member for education and responsibility for its £700million yearly budget; Graham Gibbens (Canterbury City North East), who becomes spokesman for regeneration and supporting independence and Mike Hill (Tenterden), who becomes cabinet member for community services, which covers the arts, libraries and sport.

The Tunbridge Wells county councillor Kevin Lynes takes over as member for adult services while Swale’s Keith Ferrin moves over to take over as cabinet member for environment and waste.

Sevenoaks member Cllr Peter Lake, who also contested the leadership contest, retains a cabinet position, responsible for children and family services.

His west Kent colleague Cllr Nick Chard continues as cabinet member for finance.