WITHIN 48 hours of the new Cheshire West and Chester Council coming into existence, its top Tory political team has been reshuffled.

Council leader, Cllr Mike Jones, took the axe to the authority’s powerful executive and dropped two posts, slimming it down from 10 seats to eight.

The move is intended to free up senior councillors to work elsewhere in the authority’s political system.

Ledsham & Willaston Cllr Myles Hogg switches from customer services to chair the strategic planning committee.

Eddisbury Cllr John Grimshaw leaves to chair the community scrutiny select panel while Abbey Cllr Keith Musgrave becomes chairman of audit and governance.

Cllr Lynn Riley (Weaver) comes into the executive handling area and community services.

Deputy council leader Cllr Les Ford (Frodsham & Helsby) retains the finance department.

Cllr Brenda Dowding (Neston & Parkgate) continues at adult social care and health while Cllr Richard Short (Overleigh) retains culture and recreation.

Abbey councillor Herbert Manley retains prosperity while Cllr Arthur Harada (Overleigh) continues with education and children.

Remaining at environment is Broxton councillor Neil Ritchie, who is also the council’s deputy chairman.

Cllr Jones (Broxton) said: “Our team has demonstrated the ability to deliver over the past ten months when we operated as a shadow authority and now we have set our sights on working closely with all our communities and parish councils.”

Hoole and Newton Cllr John Ebo was formally elected as council chairman and will also become Lord Mayor of Chester on May 13.