CONSERVATIVES on a Hampshire council have ousted their leader as they look to take advantage of their newly strengthened Guildhall majority.

Winchester City Council boss Frank Pearson has been replaced by his deputy, Stephen Godfrey, after a leadership challenge.

Cllr Godfrey, previously deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, will be confirmed as the new boss at the city's Mayor Making ceremony tonight.

Cllr Vicki Weston, who resigned as deputy leader over the controversial Silver Hill development in February, has been nominated to return to her post while Cllr Godfrey said two cabinet positions were set to change hands.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have elected Cllr Lucille Thompson as their new leader after Kelsie Learney lost her seat at May 7's elections.

Elected in February following the resignation of Cllr Rob Humby over the council's High Court defeat on Silver Hill, Cllr Pearson said he would be a safe pair of hands but admitted at the time he may not be in the post for long.

Cllr Godfrey pledged to tackle disillusionment with the city council's transparency and engagement with residents.

He said: “There were considerable concerns expressed last year and earlier this year that people didn’t understand how our decisions were made. Maybe that will come out with the Claer Lloyd-Jones report [into the council’s handling of Silver Hill], but I want to make sure that people have more confidence in what we’re doing and why.”

He added: “The first thing is to deal with the challenges we have in front of us. My aspiration is to continue to improve Winchester and make it a good place to live, work and visit.

“We’re looking at how we can safeguard the council services and make sure they’re the best that we can offer.”

The new cabinet will meet for the first time ton Thursday to appoint new committee chairs and discuss the Silver Hill scheme, new council flats at Victoria House and housebuilding in Spring Vale, Swanmore, Cllrs Weston and Thompson had not responded to a request for comment at the time of going to press.