THE new leader of Winchester City Council has pledged to restore public trust in local politics in the wake of the Silver Hill ruling.

Conservative councillor Frank Pearson, elected on Thursday night after the resignation of leader Rob Humby, promised stability in "turbulent times".

A review of decision-making is set to be launched after a High Court judge ruled that city bosses acted unlawfully when they allowed contentious changes to the £165 million Silver Hill scheme.

But the Guildhall meeting heard concerns for the inquiry's independence as Cllr Pearson moved to involve senior politicians in discussing its brief.

As it happened: the Chronicle's live coverage of Thursday's leadership election

Deputy leader Victoria Weston and opposition scrutiny chief Chris Pines also stepped down this week.

Cllr Pearson beat Liberal Democrat leader Kelsie Learney by 26 votes to 24. Six councillors, including Tory member Ian Tait, abstained. 

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Cllr Pearson said his experience as mayor in 2012-13 would help him as leader.

"I consider myself a safe pair of hands," he said. 

“So what are my objectives? First, to establish stability in these turbulent times.

“Second, to listen to our residents’ voice and take on board sometimes very contradictory comments."

He added: "As a member of council, like all members of council here present, we get all sorts of advice - much of which is conflicting and quite honestly downright physically impossible - to take on board. When you’re talking about advice, please recall that.

"To the residents in the wider Winchester district, I will promise to listen to their concerns in order to restore their faith in Winchester City Council during my tenure."

MORE ON THE SILVER HILL FALLOUT:
Deputy leader stands by decisions after resignation
The High Court judgment: council acted 'unlawfully' over Silver Hill since 2004
Campaigner Gottlieb threatens more legal action if city bosses don't change their ways

The Silver Hill inquiry, expected to cost at least £200,000, is set to be led by auditors and local government experts and may involve council chiefs despite calls to keep politicians away.

Lib Dem councillor Martin Tod accused the leader of "stitching up" the brief in secret to limit it to Silver Hill.

"It's not just the Silver Hill project and how we managed it that needs a review and needs to change," he said. 

"It's the council as a whole that needs a review and needs to change."

Cllr Chris Pines, Labour group leader, said the council should not be part of the process “at all”.

He said: “The whole point of what I was saying was that we had independence because what the public want is transparency.

“We’ve got to have transparency right from the very beginning in setting the terms of the inquiry, in the choosing of the person [to lead the review].”

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Cllr Pearson said it was "quite reasonable" to discuss the brief with group leaders but insisted  conclusions would be drawn outside of the Guildhall.

“I did say I wanted it to be independent and I do mean that," he told the meeting.

“I’m not looking for blood on the carpet. I’m looking to make sure that due process was followed at that time.

“One thing I do not want to do is colour their independence.”

A paper detailing the impact of the Silver Hill ruling and next steps for the council will be presented to cabinet on March 18.

The new Tory cabinet includes two members from the former committee which allowed developer Henderson to drop 100 affordable flats and a bus station from the scheme. 

Finance chief Cllr Stephen Godfrey held his post, while former business portfolio holder Cllr Steve Miller was moved to housing. 

Cllr James Byrnes took the business brief, with Cllr Patricia Stallard covering environment,  health and wellbeing and Cllr Ernie Jeffs appointed communities and transport boss. 

Cllr Mike Read, former deputy chairman of the planning committee, was named built environment chief on Friday.

A deputy leader is expected to be appointed over the next few days.