THE new civic centre leader of Southampton has spoken of the shape of things to come in the city - but revealed his party would not make changes for change's sake.

Councillor Adrian Vinson declared tackling neighbourhood nuisance would form the cornerstone of the Liberal Democrats' reign after they seized power for the first time in more than 90 years this week.

He added that stamping down on antisocial behaviour was an issue among residents and said his party would aim to restore crumbling pavements and roads.

He told the Daily Echo that people should expect evolution from the council rather than wide-scale alterations in the coming months.

Labour's control of the city council slipped on Wednesday after 19 years in charge. Former Labour councillor Paul Russell, now an Independent, sided with the Lib Dems after being offered a Cabinet post worth thousands of pounds while fellow Independent councillor Harry Mitchell abstained.

Cllr Vinson claimed the move was a sign that he wanted his party to be inclusive and would welcome ideas from all spectrums of the political divide.

"We are determined to be an open and listening council. We don't think we have a monopoly on wisdom.

"We think there are good and valuable ideas from all corners, both from the council and the community.

"People are increasingly concerned about quality of life in their neighbourhoods, from vandalism and graffiti to more serious issues they perceive to be affecting their public safety.

"I hope people will start to see the emphasis we place on tackling antisocial behaviour and neighbourhood nuisance and improving the street scene by repairing pavements and roads.

"The first thing people will see is a more open and consultative council."

The ward councillor for Portswood, who has represented the area for 18 years, added that despite inheriting Labour's budget and some policies, the Lib Dems were determined to make their mark on the city.

Labour's annual budget this year sent council tax soaring through the £1,000 barrier for the first time with an 18.5 per cent bill increase. They blamed the bulk of the hike on the government's grant which left the council with a £8.5m shortfall in its £232 annual budget.

The Lib Dems proposed a 14.6 per cent rise.

Cllr Vinson said: "We proposed very tight financial management and there were some areas we put forward to make savings, some of which the previous administration took on board but of course the council is constrained to a large extend by the government."

He added: "Clearly as an incoming administration we have inherited much of the good work of our predecessors but we have also inherited things we might have done differently.

"We have to work within the framework of a budget we inherited and some policies which have been laid down already."

Southampton's huge redevelopment projects to take the city into the 21st century, that were put in motion by the Labour group, will be continued by the new administration.

The schemes include the Northern Above Bar cultural quarter and West Quay Phase Three, which will feature an ice rink and huge plaza.

Cllr Vinson said it was his party that tabled a motion three years ago to kick-start bringing a rink back to Southampton after its previous facility was shut down in 1988.

He added: "We support the cultural quarter to breath new life into Northern Above Bar, especially now the retail element has moved since WestQuay."