Roderick Bluh the new deputy leader Picture Ref: 77373-3IT'S all change at Swindon Council except at the very top.

Both the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups on the council have elected new leaders and, as reported in the late edition of yesterday's Adver, the ruling Conservatives have a new deputy leader.

Coun Mike Bawden was re-elected as the Conservative leader but says he will probably stand down after another one to two years.

The moves come as interim chief executive Mike Pitt starts full-time at the authority.

Coun Bawden said he would serve for at least the next year as leader but would then consider his position during the following year.

"Once Mike Pitt has got things in the right direction it may be appropriate for a younger person to take over and work with the new chief executive," he said.

Coun Bawden also praised Coun Ian Dobie, who was deputy leader until beaten by Coun Roderick Bluh in a vote at the Conservative's annual meeting, and said he looked forward to working with Coun Bluh.

Coun Dobie was abroad and so not present for the vote but Coun Bluh said yesterday he had not known that before the meeting and that he had no problem with Coun Dobie.

"I put myself forward because I have very clear ideas of what I want to see happen in Swindon," said Coun Bluh, who was only elected to the council last year.

"I am very passionate about the regeneration of the town which is vital to the town's economic future. People obviously liked a lot of what I said.

"I am not a politician in the normal sense I am in to get things done."

He said it was too early to say whether he would be interested in taking over as leader when Coun Bawden resigns.

Meanwhile Coun David Nash has stood down as leader of the Labour group after less than a year in charge and is replaced by former leader Coun Kevin Small.

Coun Nash said he had stood down because a new position at work meant he would be out of the town more regularly.

He added that he hoped the change programme that Labour had had the courage to start could be continued.

There was a three-way fight between Coun Small, Coun Derique Montaut and Coun Thompson for the leadership.

Coun Small said he wanted to prepare the party for next year's elections and hold the Conservative administration to account. He said he was not criticising Coun Nash but that he had struggled over the last year because of his work and family commitments.

Coun Wendy Johnson is the new leader of the Liberal Democrat group elected unanimously after Coun Chris Shepherd stood down.

He has job commitments and wants to spend more time on his ward work in Freshbrook and Grange Park, where he is particularly concerned about graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

Coun Stan Pajak is the new deputy leader of the Lib Dems.

Isabel Field