The challenges of funding and providing services for Kent’s ageing population will be a key priority for Canterbury county councillor Graham Gibbens.

A County Hall cabinet reshuffle has seen Cllr Gibbens handed a new job overseeing adult social services.

Cllr Gibbens was given the role in a shake-up of KCC’s top team which was prompted by the unexpected departure of schools’ boss Cllr Chris Wells.

It is the third cabinet job for Cllr Gibbens, who said he was delighted to be taking on a new brief after nearly two years in charge of public health.

In his new role, he said tackling the challenges of funding and providing services for Kent’s ageing population would be a key priority.

“How we do that is not just a problem for Kent but one nationally that we have to consider.”

The resignation of Cllr Wells has surprised some as he had only been in the post for just over a year. He was brought in to replace Whitstable’s Cllr John Simmonds, who was sacked.

He declined to comment about the reasons for his decision.