LABOUR councillor Margaret Alexander has been elected as the new leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council after a dramatic meeting at the Civic Offices last night.

The change in leadership, ousting the Conservative Cllr Jeff James, occurred after a motion was passed last night stating that Cllr James should resign and that Cll Alexander should become leader.

The motion, proposed by Labour after a successful no-confidence motion two weeks ago, was passed with 22 votes for, 20 against and four abstentions.

Plaid Cymru crucially held the balance of power in the hung council and it looked like they would abstain as a block vote after its leader Cllr Chris Franks stated against in a recorded vote when his name was read out.

However several Plaid members, including Cllr Barry Shaw and Cllr Keith Stockdale voted for the motion which led to fall of Cllr James, and ultimately his cabinet.

Under council rules, Cllr Alexander, as the new leader, has the right to choose her cabinet. During the last few weeks, Labour councillors have stated that they would be prepared to work with Plaid councillors and Independents in forming a coalition cabinet.

It is as yet unclear of the make-up of the cabinet, although an announcement is expected shortly.

The special meeting last night was called by the Labour group following the controversy over the cabinet's plan to claw back a £5 million social services budget overspend with a series of cuts.

Another motion tabled last night was voted down. Plaid Cymru had hoped to get a motion stating that an all-party cabinet be formed, although this was lost after Labour members abstained allowing the Conservatives to vote it down.

Speaking during the meeting, Cllr Jeff James spoke of his disappointment at being ousted.

He said: "Being leader of this council over the last seven years I have worked tirelessly.

"I will continue to work in the best interests of this council and to do my best to represent my ward."