The new leader of Kent County Council (KCC) will be elected at County Hall in Maidstone later today.

Cllr Roger Gough (Con) is expected to take over from the outgoing head, Cllr Paul Carter (Con), after winning a four-way battle for the Conservative group leadership two weeks ago.

He is due to be voted into one of the top political roles in local government, heading the largest county council in the country.

A cabinet reshuffle is also expected and could see Cllr Carter on the back benches after 14 years as leader of KCC.

Cllr Gough, who has been serving as cabinet member for education, was elected as a county councillor in May 2005 and represents Sevenoaks North and Darent Valley.

The Conservative councillor played a key role in the creation of a new grammar school annexe in Sevenoaks - the first "new" selective school to be opened for decades.

Cllr Gough was one of four experienced councillors vying for the top job after Cllr Carter announced he was stepping down as leader six weeks ago.

Other contenders for the leadership included KCC's deputy leader, Cllr Peter Oakford (Con); cabinet member for highways, Cllr Mike Whiting (Con) and one of Cllr Gough's Sevenoaks colleagues, Cllr Nick Chard (Con).

A statement will be read out by the new KCC leader during the full council meeting inside Maidstone County Hall's council chamber at around 11am.

KCC has 81 elected members and the election will be followed by discussion of the council's proposed knife crime policy and structrual revision of the constitution.

Cllr Carter will be chairing his last council meeting a hour before the election.

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