THE new leader of Gloucestershire Lib Dems has vowed to hold the Tories to account over cuts to county services.

Cotswold county councillor Paul Hodgkinson has taken the reigns of the centrist parts at Shire Hall, after he was elected unopposed at a meeting yesterday.

The Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach councillor led the Lib Dems on Cotswold District Council for five years before standing down to fight to become the area’s MP last year, where he claimed 18.6 per cent of the vote.

Under the motto ‘getting things done’, Cllr Hodgkinson has fought campaigns to reopen A&E services 24/7 at Cheltenham hospital, ease congestion at the Air Balloon roundabout and improve road safety.

He said he was “delighted” to take the top job.

“As the biggest opposition group on the council our role on behalf of the public should be to support what we think is right but to be robust in challenging what we think is wrong and stand up for people so they have a voice in the Council,” he said.

"The Conservative track record so far has been disappointing both in government and locally with deteriorating roads, cuts to council budgets, savings being made to frontline services, gaps in broadband and appalling ambulance response times especially in rural areas.

“We're facing uncertain times with the Conservatives in power, but I’m in no doubt that the Liberal Democrats on Gloucestershire County Council will make our mark and leave no stone left unturned when it comes to scrutinising, challenging and holding the administration to account over the many decisions that affect residents across the county.”

He added that the biggest challenges facing the county in the next year were the possibility of the Cotswolds breaking away from Gloucestershire and keeping ‘disgraceful’ roads in better shape.

Cllr Iain Dobie, Leckhampton and Warden Hill division, was elected to serve as Cllr Hodgkinson’s deputy.

Cirencester county councillor Joe Harris has been kept as shadow cabinet member for Children & Young People and Strategic Commissioning.

He said: "There was a real buzz around Shire Hall yesterday. The whole group are behind him, I think he'll offer fresh and dynamic leadership."