The new Tory-led county council is starting business with a shake up at the top when it meets for the first time today.

It is planning to rename the decision-making executive 'the cabinet' and also increase its membership from nine to 10, while creating new portfolios -- including one for change management, to be taken by John Howell.

Following the elections of May 5, it is the first time in 20 years that Oxfordshire County Council has been controlled by one party.

Council leader Keith Mitchell said the cabinet wants to make a host of changes as soon as possible -- including raising achievement in schools, scrapping charges at Water Eaton and Thornhill park-and-rides and piloting free on-street parking after 6.30pm on weekdays and on Sundays.

Mr Mitchell said: "We shall give the free on-street parking scheme a fair trial to see if it works."

He added that the "whole political landscape in Oxfordshire" had changed since the Conservative victory at the local elections earlier this month.

"We realise now that the buck stops with us," he said. "There is no way now we can blame the Liberal Democrats or anyone else in four years time, as can happen with a hung council. We welcome this opportunity to do things the Conservative way

"There is a cultural change here. We shall be more accountable and customer focused."

The council will be asked to approve the new Cabinet.

New portfolios include policy co-ordination, change management, and finance. A designated cabinet member will also be responsible for working with each of the county's five district councils.