THE final decision on the fate of Monmouthshire's closure threatened schools lies with a new set of politicians.

For a different cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss last week's controversial outcome.

The Argus revealed on Friday how some schools earmarked for closure under Monmouthshire's shake-up of its education system were saved.

But the Conservative leader of the county council, Andrew Crump, and his deputy, Alan Breeze, resigned control of the council an hour before that meeting.

Now the council's Labour group have formed a new cabinet, with David Waring as the council's new leader, and Mike Smith as deputy.

Councillor Crump said he and his deputy stood down because of a political shift.

The three Independents and two Liberal Democrat members of the council had agreed to support the Labour group - who now have a one-seat majority over the Tories after Martin Thomas won Llanelly Hill in a by-election.

Councillor Crump paid tribute to the hard work of his cabinet and was "disappointed", but understood the decision of the Independents and Liberal Democrats.

The council is made up of 19 Labour members, 18 Conservatives, three Independents and two Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Waring pledged the new administration would build on what the Conservatives had done.

The leader of the Independents, Councillor Ashley Thomas, said it has always been the policy of his group to support the larger party within a hung council.

The Independents had supported the Tory administration after the 1999 elections - but now shift their allegiance to Labour as the majority party. But he added it was not a coalition.

The cabinet meets at 10am tomorrow to discuss the recommendations of the full council that Clydach, Darrenfelin, Govilon, Croesonen Infants and Park Street Infants schools should stay open - contrary to the recommendations of the members' panel.

They also agreed that Llanfoist, Llanfair Kilgeddin, Llanover, St David's Junior, Abergavenny and Green Lane Junior School, Caldicot should close.

The rest of the recommendations for Monmouth, Caldicot and Chepstow schools were agreed by the council. Tomorrow's decision must next go to the Assembly for discussion.

The new cabinet is made up of councillors Waring, Smith, Rob Griffiths, Verona Nelmes, Giles Howard, Andre Arkell, Pam Birchall and Jim Higginson.