A MAN who only joined Wyre Forest District Council two years ago on a Health Concern ticket has been elected chairman.

Councillor Frank Baillie beat Liberal Democrat Peter Carter by a 20-12 vote at the annual meeting.

He takes over Councillor John Gordon, also of Health Concern, who had been in the chair for two years.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Baillie said the issues for the year ahead included the council's continuing battle for the restoration of accident and emergency services at Kidderminster Hospital and opposition to the siting of a waste incinerator in the town.

He added the other main task for the district council was to continue to provide high quality services.

He said the council was coping "very well" with the modernisation programme for local government instigated by the Government.

And he said he saw his role as chairman as akin to that of the Speaker of the House of Commons, an "independent, neutral kind of person" whose role it was to "facilitate meetings," working with members of all political groups.

He said although his experience with the district council was relatively brief, his business background as a group finance director meant he was "well-versed" in the process of meetings and the role of chairman.

Councillor Tony Hinton, also of Health Concern, is the new vice-chairman while Councillor Mike Oborski and Councillor Ken Stokes were re-elected as leader and deputy leader respectively.