INVESTMENT in rural roads and pavements and the care of elderly and vulnerable people were among the priorities outlined by the new Conservative-controlled Derbyshire County Council.
A meeting on Wednesday, the first since the election, saw Buxton West Councillor Robin Baldry elected Chairman of the Council.
As well as setting out the priorities, he thanked the former Chairman, Councillor Joyce Sanders, for her hard work duri
ng her two years in office and acknowledge the contribution Cllr John Williams made as Leader of the county council for eight years.
Cllr Baldry said: "We're keen to be as efficient as possible. We see it as our duty to tackle waste, duplication and pointless bureaucracy. Our council tax payers come first."
He continued: "A key issue for us is the poor state of our roads and pavements – particularly in rural areas. We'll give local people a bigger say in how we spend their money, we'll ask them what their priorities are."
Other priorities for the new council are care for elderly and vulnerable people, cutting crime and anti-social behaviour, supporting schools to deliver the very best education and making Derbyshire a top cultural destination.
However, following the meeting the Labour group expressed concerns about the future funding of schools in deprived areas after the new cabinet member for Education Cllr Michael Longden failed to answer questions, citing his newness in post.
Cllr Alan Charles, Shadow cabinet member for Education, said: "I am concerned that funding for schools which is currently targeted at children living in the most deprived parts of Derbyshire will be diverted to more affluent parts of the County.
"When challenged on this, Cllr Longden declined to answer questions and come clean on exactly what his intentions are."
The Labour group also expressed anger at the way the new Conservative administration handled the meeting and claimed newly elected Council Leader, Cllr Andrew Lewer, consistently refused to answer questions from the floor, saying that a written response from an officer would be forthcoming.
Leader of the Labour group, Cllr Anne Western said: "It is clear that the Conservatives do not want to be interrogated on what their true intentions are. Question after question, Cllr Lewer seemed unable to give any answers.
"However, we will continue to press the ruling group on their policies, to flush out what their real intentions are."
