WITHIN minutes of taking over as mayor of Basingstoke, Cllr Gerry Traynor had to use his casting vote in the council chamber.

After the local elections earlier this month left the Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition with 30 councillors opposed by 26 Conservatives and four Independents, many councillors claimed that the mayor would "hardly ever" have to use his casting vote. But it happened immediately.

During the appointment of chairmen of the council committees at the annual council meeting on Thursday, at which Cllr Traynor had been appointed mayor, Conservative group leader John Leek objected to the coalition's proposed chairman of the scrutiny committee, Lib Dem councillor Alex Green.

"On the grounds that no government should scrutinise its own work, I would like to nominate Cllr Harry Robinson (Conservative) as chairman," Cllr Leek told the meeting.

The 15 Lib Dem and 14 Labour councillors voted for Cllr Green, and the 26 Tories plus three Independents - one Independent was absent - voted for Cllr Robinson.

Smiling, Cllr Traynor - a Labour ward councillor for South Ham - said: "The result of the vote is 29 each - so I will have to use my casting vote. My casting vote goes to Cllr Green so he is elected chairman of the scrutiny committee."

The joint administration's choice of Labour group chairman Cllr Rob Donnelly for council leader went through without a vote - but Cllr Leek insisted a vote be taken on the proposal of former leader Cllr Brian Gurden as deputy leader.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Gurden was appointed deputy leader on a vote of 29 to 26. All Labour and Lib Dem councillors voted in favour and all Tories against. The three Independent councillors present abstained.

After the vote, Cllr Leek commented: "I would like to congratulate Cllr Donnelly on his appointment as leader. The recent change of leader and deputy leader between Cllr Donnelly and Cllr Gurden looks remarkably like the rearrangement of the deckchairs on the Titanic of this joint administration."

In the Cabinet, Cllr Mrs Paula Baker (Lib Dem) was re-elected as Cabinet member for forward planning , Cllr Paul Harvey (Lab) for employment, skills and learning, Cllr Ron Hussey (Lib Dem) for environmental sustainability, Cllr Laura James (Lab) for housing, health and homes and Cllr John Shaw (Lib Dem) for recreation and culture. Cllr David Potter (Lab) was elected as Cabinet member for communities and regeneration in place of Cllr Tony Jones(Lab).