ROBERT Gordon has become the new leader of Herts County Council. He has succeeded David Beatty, who stepped down last week as a result of ill health. He said that the county faced a range of challenges in the future such as the Government s determina

ROBERT Gordon has become the new leader of Herts County Council.

He has succeeded David Beatty, who stepped down last week as a result of ill health.

He said that the county faced a "range of challenges" in the future such as the Government's "determination" to impose excessive new developments.

And he claimed the health service was under threat in Herts due to the Government's "ill-considered and under-funded" review of the NHS.

Cllr Gordon, who was elected to the county council in 1989, said his controlling group Tories would continue to be "robust advocates" for Herts.

Speaking of Cllr Beatty, he said that in his time as leader he had made a "substantial contribution".

Cllr Beatty became deputy leader in 2005 with responsibility for performance and resources and was previously portfolio holder for education.