LLANOVER councillor Brian Hood is Monmouthshire council’s chairman for 2011/2012.

Cllr Hood was chosen for the position at the council’s annual meeting last week, and Abergavenny councillor Maureen Powell was chosen as the new vice-chairman.

Conservative Cllr Hood has served as ward member for Llanover since Monmouthshire council was first formed in 1996.

He has since held many roles in the authority, and is well known for his work in social services.

He was awarded the MBE in this year’s New Year Honours List for services to local government.

Cllr Hood said he would use his newrole to support a culture of newenterprise in the county, and to promote Monmouthshire to potential investors, particularly digital and low carbon technology businesses.

He said: “We do not want to lose our ambitious and gifted young people, who all too often have to move out of the county to get on.

We are very clear about the task that lies ahead to encourage newbusiness to cross the bridge, but we are confident that the high quality of life we have to offer will help us do that job.”

Cllr Hood’s chosen charities will be Help for Heroes and the Samaritans.