Vigorous political debate will continue within Oxfordshire County Council despite the switch to an executive system of control.

The promise was made by Cllr Keith Mitchell, the Conservative leader of the council.

The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have formed an alliance to run the authority, which has been hung for the past 16 years.

The nine members of the new executive board were formally adopted on Tuesday.

There are five Conservative members and four Liberal Democrats, giving the Tories the final say on controversial issues.

Cllr Mitchell said: "This will continue to be a political council and this will be demonstrated within the coalition, as well as within the council.

"The executive will not be detached from the council, because we're only nine out of 70 and the other members would not allow that to happen.

"The idea that nine people will lock themselves away without consulting the other members is wrong."

Members of the opposition Labour group will head scrutiny committees to examine the executive's decisions.

Group leader Cllr Brian Hodgson successfully urged members to recognise a post of deputy leader of the opposition. The Independent Remuneration Panel, which considers councillors' allowances, will decide whether the holder of the post should get a special responsibility allowance.

The new administrative system will begin on November 5.

The executive's members are: Keith Mitchell (Con), leader of the council, Margaret Godden (Lib Dem), deputy leader, Janet Godden (Lib Dem), Roy Tudor-Hughes (Con), Don Seale (Con), Tony Crabbe (Con), Anne Purse (Lib Dem), Neil Fawcett (Lib Dem) and John Farrow (Con).