The Conservatives have elected a new leader as part of a re-organisation on Brighton and Hove City Council.

Councillor Brian Oxley has succeeded Coun Garry Peltzer Dunn as leader of the opposition group.

The Tories have also appointed two new deputy leaders while Labour have appointed one new deputy leader.

It will be the second time in charge for Coun Oxley, who led the Conservative group between 2001 and 2004.

He said he wanted to create, "a fairer future where residents feel the council is on their side and where we reduce waste, improve choice and protect people's incomes from taxes as much as possible".

Coun Peltzer Dunn said: "I am certain that with Brian at the helm the Conservatives will, after the May 2007 elections, form an administration with he being the first ever Conservative leader of the city council".

Labour elected Coun Gill Mitchell as a new deputy leader of the council in a reorganisation driven by new leader Coun Simon Burgess.

She will be responsible for the environment portfolio while Coun Sue John will keep her deputy's position, taking responsibility for performance monitoring and partnerships between the council and external bodies.

Coun Burgess will keep the portfolio of finance and property that he had before he took over leadership of the council.

He said appointing Coun Mitchell was, "a very strong political statement. We are putting on centre stage our desire to be at the forefront of sustainability. It is a top political priority for the city".

Coun Mary Mears was elected as a new deputy leader of the opposition and Coun Vanessa Brown was re-elected as a deputy.

It was also agreed that the chair of the standards committee would from now on be an independent member.

Coun Burgess said: "We want it to be led by someone with no political axe to grind."

The changes were officially made at the annual council meeting in Hove Town Hall on Thursday.