MALVERN Hills District Council should make a fresh start will members of all political groups working together, says the council's new leader, Phil Grove.

Cllr Grove was elected to the leadership by a large majority at the annual council meeting on Tuesday, the first since the election that saw the Tory group retain control with an increased majority.

He said: "My group were grateful to the electorate for allowing us to retain control of the council and increase our majority.

"However, I believe that all 38 of us can all work together across the council over the next four years for the benefit of the district: our residents, our business community and visitors to our district.

"Where we can achieve cross party consensus we will seek to do so. I know we will disagree. That is good politics but hopefully we can do this in the right spirit and equally work well with our hard-working officers.

"I intend to be an open and inclusive leader. We can have a fresh start and hopefully agree that we are here to improve the quality of life and prosperity of all parts of the district."

Cllr Grove said that one of the major challenges facing the new council is financial stability. He said: "The chancellor has just announced that his budget will take place on July 8. Unlike some other departments such as the NHS., local government will continue to experience significant challenges over the next five years or so. We need to realistic about this.

"We will therefore develop a business plan to bring together our budget and our priorities and we will develop it together."

He also said that the council needs to refresh its corporate strategy and priorities, and called for a workshop to be convened for all councillors to kick-start the debate.

At the meeting, Cllr Barbara Williams, last year's vice-chairman and the Conservative member for Martley, was elected chairman after being nominated by Cllr Grove and seconded by Cllr Julian Roskams, leader of the Democratic group.

The new vice-chairman is Cllr John Raine, who represents West Malvern and also belongs to the Democratic group. He was nominated by Cllr Roskams and seconded by Cllr Grove.

Cllr Williams said that the charities for her year in office will be the Midlands Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK.