THE newly installed leader of Powys County Council has announced the eight councillors who will form his cabinet.
Councillor Barry Thomas, of the Non-Political Group, has reappointed five members who sat in the cabinet with him before they were either sacked by then leader Cllr David Jones, or resigned, in November.
Scroll down to see who is in the cabinet and where they are from and how many seats the council's various groups hold
Cllr Thomas, a former chairman of the council, was the last man standing at County Hall after a civil war among the council's independent members resulted in the removal of the council's executive leader, Cllr David Jones.
Cllr Jones, whose insistence on offering cabinet places to members of the council's largest group of independent members, the Powys Independent Alliance (PIA), led to the collapse of his own Shires Independent Group lost a confidence vote among councillors.
Cllr Jones and Hay-on-Wye member Gareth Ratcilffe had defected to the PIA in December and Cllr Jones appointed a new cabinet from that group - but they were all sacked by Cllr Thomas, on Friday, just a month after being appointed.
The ousted leader had claimed a coalition between the independent groups was necessary to guarantee the budget, which must cut council spending by £20 million in the upcoming financial year, would go through the full council this March.
But his opponents, including the councillors he sacked from his cabinet, claimed he had caused the political instability on the council by ploughing ahead with a coalition with the PIA against the wishes of his own group.
They said the council's existing budget plans, which propose cuts to services for the elderly and disabled as well as education, had been drawn up by Cllr Jones' original cabinet - and they could be returned to power.
Other councillors criticised the authority's 48 independent members, who are now divided into one of three groups, for a failure to work together - even with cuts of £40 million over three years hanging over the council.
The cabinet
Cllr Barry Thomas (The Non-Political Group) Leader and portfolio holder for waste management. Represents Llanfihangel, near Welshpool. Previously a member of Cllr Jones' cabinet.
Cllr Myfanwy Alexander (Independent Group) education and children's services. Represents Banwy, near Welshpool. Previously a member of Cllr Jones' cabinet.
Cllr Graham Brown (Independent Group) commissioning and procurement. Represents Llandrinio, near Welshpool. Previously a member of Cllr Jones' cabinet.
Cllr Rosemarie Harris (The Non-Political Group) regeneration and planning. Represents Llangynidr, between Brecon and Crickhowell. Previously a member of Cllr Jones' cabinet.
Cllr Garry Banks (Independent Group) property and assets. Represents Presteigne, Radnorshire. Previously a member of Cllr Jones' cabinet.
Cllr Dai Davies (The Non-Political Group) finance. Represents Berriew, near Welshpool. Previously a member of Cllr Jones' cabinet.
Cllr Steve Davies (Independent Group) HR, IT and communications. Represents Bronllys, near Brecon.
Cllr Darren Mayor (Independent Group) adult social services. Represents Llanwddyn, north Montgomeryshire.
Cllr John Powell (The Non-Political Group) highways and environmental health. Represents Llanbadarn Fawr, north Radnorshire.
Councillors Myfanwy Alexander, Graham Brown and Rosemarie Harris have also been named deputy leaders, who will, with Cllr Thomas, for the 'leadership team'.
The Powys balance of Power
The 73 member council has 48 independent councillors
Powys Independent Alliance - 26
The Independent Group - 14
The Non-Political Group - 7
Conservatives - 10
Liberal Democrats - 9
Labour - 6
The council also has two unaligned independent members
The PIA cabinet, which was appointed on December 10, 2013 and sacked on January 10, 2014
David Jones – leader (Guilsfield, near Welshpool)
Tony Thomas – cabinet deputy leader: finance & value (Felin Fach, near Brecon)
Dawn Bailey - care (Trewern, near Welshpool)
Stephen Hayes - commissioning & procurement (Montgomery)
Geraint Hopkins - environment (Gwernyfed, near Hay-on-Wye)
Wynne Jones - learning (Dolforwyn, near Welshpool)
David Price - regeneration (Llanafan-fawr, near Builth Wells)
Gareth Ratcliffe - corporate delivery (Hay-on-Wye)
Kath Roberts-Jones - property, housing and welfare (Kerry, near Newtown)
Avril York - leisure & culture (Builth Wells)