THE Independent Coalition formally took control of West Somerset Council on Wednesday with Independent members Cllr Keith Ross and Cllr Jenny Hill officially taking the political and ceremonial helm of the authority. Dulverton and Brushford member Cllr Ross was elected as leader, with Alcombe West Labour Cllr Simon Stokes as deputy. Watchet member Cllr Hill was elected as chairman, with Minehead South member Cllr John Walker as her vice-chairman. An 11th hour bid by the Conservatives to wrestle control of the influential cabinet failed when the Tory candidate Cllr Christine Lawrence lost her bid to be leader by 14 votes to 17 at an informal meeting earlier in the week. Wednesday's meeting went without a hitch as councillors across the political divide publicly gave their backing to Cllr Ross. He praised Cllr Lawrence for her "good leadership" of the authority over the last year and suggested every councillor came up with three ideas which they believed would help the council to "move forward". He said: "The election told us we need to move on. More than half of the council is new, which should be a concern for all of us. "I hope we will move forward with some training. "We all need to work together. We have to improve the way we work. "The colleagues I have put on the cabinet are all extremely enthusiastic and have some history of working with this council before." Deputy leader Cllr Stokes was given the internal resources portfolio, while Liberal Democrat member for Carhampton and Withycombe Cllr Peter Humber become the portfolio holder for housing, health and welfare. Williton Independent Cllr Eddie May retained his post as portfolio holder for youth and community, but the remaining cabinet positions all went to newly elected members. Minehead South Independent Cllr Michael Downes was given the portfolio for economic development and tourism, Porlock Independent Cllr Jon Freeman took on the portfolio for environment, Old Cleeve Independent Cllr Neil Parbrook took responsibility for the leisure, culture and recreation portfolio and Minehead North Independent Cllr Doug Ross was given the finance portfolio. As well as the political leadership of the authority, councillors also elected Cllr Hill to take over as chairman from outgoing Old Cleeve member Pam Driver. She lost her seat in the local elections and wished Cllr Hill well in her new post. Cllr Stokes said Mrs Driver had been an "excellent chairman" and added: "We shall all miss her guidance and generosity to this council as a whole". Mrs Driver said she had had a "good time" and urged the new-look council to fight West Somerset's corner and "do us all proud". Her outgoing vice-chairman Fred Rawle also bowed out of public office, retiring after 24 years as a councillor. Cllr Hill told the meeting: "I would like to thank everyone who elected me and I hope to serve this council as I should do." Photos: Steve Guscott