THE Liberal Democrats on Wiltshire County Council have announced the creation of a new shadow cabinet.

Leader Trevor Carbin has put together a cabinet to mirror the official Conservative administration at County Hall.

He said: "This is a temporary arrangement until the county council elections in May next year.

"If the Lib Dems take control of Wiltshire at that election we'll be looking for dramatic improvements in efficiency which would include a re-structuring of the cabinet system."

Paul Fox has been appointed to look at adult care services, including services for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems, services for older people and for those with a physical impairment, as well as community safety and criminal justice, and the work of the county's Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Angie Barker will be responsible for shadowing community and staffing, including consultation, community development and regeneration in local areas and the co-ordination of services for local areas and client groups.

Malcolm Hewson will be shadow member for customer services and e-government leading the improvement programme to develop customer services through communication with the public, improving call handling and developing information centres.

Jeff Osborn will be shadow member for Government relations and procurement, Grace Hill for children and families, Ian West for environment, transport and economic development, and Patrick Coleman for schools, education and libraries. Terry Chivers will look after planning and waste.