A new cabinet of independent and Conservative councillors is in charge of Powys County Council.

The 10 member cabinet holds executive power - it takes all the major policy decision for the council from the frequency of rubbish collections and parking charges to whether to close a school or open a new one.

The remaining 63 councillors are "backbenchers" who scrutinise the work of the cabinet and serve on various committees - but must also agree the council’s annual budget, including the council tax.

Backbench councillors can also "call in" cabinet decisions, if there is sufficient support in the council, and force the cabinet to think again or reconsider a decision.

The council is now controlled by a coalition between the two largest groups on the council, the 30-strong Independent Group and the 19 member Welsh Conservative group.

Council leader Rosemarie Harris is the leader of the Independent Group and her appointment as leader of the council was approved by a majority in the council chamber.

She reached the deal with Cllr Aled Davies, the leader of the Conservative Group, which includes awarding the Tories four of the 10 cabinet seats.

Cllr Harris was a member of the coalition of three independent groups that ran the council before May’s local government elections.

She had also been an independent member of the council’s first cabinet, formed in 2011, and before that had served on the executive board, which included representatives from all parties and groups on the council.

Cllr Davies hasn’t held executive power before but as the Conservative group leader regularly attended cabinet meetings.

The cabinet also includes five first time councillors and three other members who’ve previously served on the cabinet.

The leaders have picked has five cabinet members from Montgomeryshire, three from Breconshire and two from Radnorshire.

The council’s official opposition are the Welsh Liberal Democrats who have 13 members while Welsh Labour has seven councillors and the two Plaid Cymru councillors have formed a group with the authority’s single Green Party councillor.

Cllr Dai Davies, who is from Berriew in Montgomeryshire, has been elected the council’s civic chairman. He chairs meetings of the full council and also represents the authority at various functions and public events.

There is currently one vacancy on the council.

Here’s our guide to the new cabinet

Leader: Cllr Rosemarie Harris (Independent, Llangynidr)

Long-standing councillor who has previously had cabinet responsibility for social services, regeneration and in the last independent administration property. Cllr Harris has also served on Powys Health Board.

Deputy Leader & Finance: Cllr Aled Davies (Conservative, Llanrhaeadr/Llansilyn)

Has led the Conservative group since before the 2012 council elections. A Welsh language speaker he has previously been a constant critic of the previous independent administration and called for more funding to be allocated directly to the council’s schools.

Housing and Countryside Services; Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson (Cons, Meifod)

A new councillor only elected at the May 4 elections.

Education: Cllr Myfanwy Alexander (Ind, Banwy)

Was previously responsible for education before she had to resign for using a racial slur at a 2014 cabinet meeting while discussing cross border health care. She said she’d been quoting from a book and hadn’t intended to cause offence.

HR & Communications: Cllr James Evans (Con, Gwernyfed)

The rookie councillor caused a shock at the elections when he defeated long-standing councillor Geraint Hopkins. The 25-year-old previously worked for Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies before taking an agricultural scholarship with the National Trust in North Wales.

Adult Social Care: Cllr Stephen Hayes (Ind, Montgomery)

Was the cabinet member for education when the first cabinet was formed in 2011. He returned to the independent cabinet during the last council term with responsibility for adult social care, a portfolio he retains.

Regeneration & Planning: Cllr Martin Weale (Ind, Llanbadarn Fawr)

Another councillor elected for the first time in May.

Highways: Cllr Liam Fitzpatrick (Ind, Talybont-on-Usk)

Served on the cabinet in 2011 while a Liberal Democrat.

Children, Youth, Libraries and Leisure Services: Cllr Rachel Powell (Ind, Beguildy)

Was elected to the council for the first time in May. Holds the Beguildy seat that was held by John Brunt who resigned from the council and cabinet at the elections.

Property & Waste: Cllr Phyl Davies (Cons, Blaen Hafren)

Another rookie councillor who finds himself straight on the cabinet. Will have to try and resolve issues over recycling and will know the cabinet member responsible for cutting the days recycling centres are open lost his seat at the elections.