SHONA Haslam, a 42-year-old mother of two from Peebles, will become the leader of Scottish Borders Council next week.

The charity worker was one of eight new councillors returned for the Conservatives who dominated last week’s local government elections, winning 15 of the 34 available places at Newtown.

She will become the first female leader of the local authority since its inception in 1995.

Following extensive negotiations since the votes were counted on Friday, it was confirmed on Tuesday that the Tories will lead a new 22-strong ruling administration – with Mrs Haslam at the helm - along with seven of the eight Independents.

Thus the SNP and Lib Dems, who have been part of a ruling coalition with a handful of Independents for the past five years, will now be in opposition, having returned nine and two councillors respectively. They will be joined by Hawick Independent councillor David Paterson.

Under the new power-sharing deal, David Parker, who has led SBC as an Independent for the past 14 years, will take over the civic head role of convener with added responsibilty for health.

The appointments, to be ratified at a special council meeting next Thursday, were announced during the morning by Conservative group leader Councillor Michelle Ballantyne.

She said Mrs Haslam would bring a “fresh and dynamic approach” to the council leadership.

“Shona may be a new councillor, but she has all the qualities required to effect the cultural change which is so badly needed on this council,” said Mrs Ballantyne. “Shona is extremely capable, thoughtful and is a good listener – essential qualities in bringing this administration together as a collegiate group, working in partnership to face up to challenges and improve the lives of Borderers.

“I am also delighted that David Parker has agreed to be the convener. His experience will add massive value to the new administration.”

Mrs Haslam, a community councillor in Peebles, scored an emphatic victory in the Tweeddale East ward, polling over 1,800 “first” votes – nearly double the tally of SNP group leader Stuart Bell and the Independent Robin Tatler who were both also elected.

She has worked in the charity sector for over 20 years and is currently the programme manager for the Peeblesshire Youth Trust which supports children in the transition years from primary to secondary education.

In her pre-election blurb, she highlighted the need for more investment in the region’s road network, a replacement secondary school in Peebles and for communities to work together to tackle littering, dog fouling and anti-social behaviour.

The completion of yesterday’s deal thwarted an attempt on Monday by SNP group leader Councillor Bell to broker a “minority administration” involving his party, the Lib Dems and the Independents.

He claimed the Conservatives had ended up us the largest group on the council by campaigning on the single issue of stopping a second Scottish independence referendum.

“This falls far short of forming an ambitious programme for local government,” said Mr Bell.

Mrs Ballantyne said an announcement on which Conservatives and Independents would take up enhanced-salary executive roles – with special responsibility for service areas – would be made next week.