A CONSERVATIVE shake-up at County Hall has seen new jobs for two members of the ruling cabinet and the departure of the man in charge of the library service.

The reshuffle sees only a few changes in the ten-strong Conservative cabinet line-up, with jobs for two newcomers from the ranks of the backbenchers.

The cabinet is the main decision-making body of the council. The main casualty of the shake-up is Cllr Charles Findlay, who was in charge of libraries and community services.

He is to concentrate on promoting the development of Margate’s Turner Centre and a new role on the South East Regional Arts Centre.

Cllr Findlay, who represents Ashford Rural West, recently came in for criticism for his handling of KCC’s plan to end an experiment with Sunday opening at three of its libraries.

The criticism led KCC to suspend its proposal and to look again at the experiment as part of a wider review of the service. His job is taken by Cllr Sarah Hohler (Malling Rural North), who remains KCC’s deputy leader and was in charge of strategic planning.

Cllr Findlay said: “I am absolutely delighted to be give the job of looking after the development of the Turner Centre. The centre has become a bigger and bigger project and takes up a lot of time.”

Cllr Kevin Lynes, who represents Tunbridge Wells Rural West, joins the cabinet only 16 months after being elected to the council. He replaces Tom Veitch, who died earlier this year, as cabinet member for resources.

The second newcomer is Cllr Grahame Weston, (Tonbridge East) who takes on the job of strategic planning from deputy leader Sarah Hohler.

The full cabinet is: Leader- Sandy Bruce-Lockhart; deputy leader (including library services) – Sarah Hohler; Finance – Nick Chard; Education – Paul Carter; Schools Organisation – Leyland Ridings; Strategic Planning – Grahame Weston; Social Care – Peter Lake; Regeneration – Alex King; Policy Development – Keith Ferrin; Resources – Kevin Lynes.