A NEW-LOOK cabinet at West Wiltshire District Council has been unveiled prompting fears of a Tory takeover.

Six of the eight cabinet posts are now held by Conservative councillors, despite the party holding only a one-seat advantage.

Leader Tony Phillips (Ind) announced his new cabinet following a shake-up in posts, after the departures of Eli Manasseh (Lab) and Christopher Newbury (Ind).

A failed bid to oust council chairman Marion Clegg (Con) by four councillors has caused unrest, with predictions of a rocky future for the cabinet despite Cllr Phillips' bid to calm the waters.

Cllr Virginia Fortescue (Con) has taken over the housing portfolio, while the planning portfolio, once held by the ousted Cllr Newbury, is transferred to economic portfolio holder Michael Mounde (Con).

Cllr Phillips is trying to persuade one of the council's three Labour members to take a post, but all three look likely to accept his offer.

The leader said: "I am still holding discussions with the Labour group, and I hope to find an appropriate role for one of their members very soon."

This week Cllr Vic Oakman (Lab), the council's newest member following one of Labour's biggest election swings since the General Election, confirmed he was not interested in taking a cabinet role.

"I have been offered a post but I turned it down," he said.

"I am too new to the role and basically it would be too much work. I would like to see a Labour representative on the cabinet but it is a matter of who can do it. Things might change in the future. Watch this space."

Cllr Fortescue, speaking about her new cabinet post, denied rumours of unrest and said the Tory whitewash was down to other parties refusing to take on portfolios.

"The Lib Dems have been offered posts and totally declined. There is very little you can do.

"I think the reasons are very political.

"I think the members of the cabinet are looking forward to being a cohesive body. There are a lot of exciting things going on and there is good news coming out."

Cllr Jeff Osborn (Lib Dem) said: "Let's be honest and upfront, what we have here is a minority Tory administration.

"This is minority administration that does not fully represent the people of west Wiltshire and I have a feeling they may be living on borrowed time, reshuffle or no reshuffle."