The Innovation Forum has appointed the leader of Hampshire CC, Ken Thornber as its first chairman.

The forum is a partnership between top performing councils and the Government, which aims to encourage dialogue between the two tiers. Cllr Thornber, who is also chair of the County Councils' Network, said: ‘The idea of establishing the role of a chair emerged from our regular discussions with the minister for local government. We saw it as a way of facilitating improved ways of working together.'