HEREFORDSHIRE Council has appointed eight new independent persons who will consider misconduct complaints lodged against councillors.

Those appointed are Sheila Archer, Jake Bharier, Bryn Caless, Malcolm Foorde Gerald Hodson, Claire Jenkins, Stephen Willmot and Roger Yates.

They will join the current independent person Richard Stow.

The council must appoint at least one independent person as part of its arrangements under which allegations that elected members may have breached the code of conduct.

Councillors felt that having just one of these did not provide sufficient cover to address potential conflicts of interest or enable support to be offered to subject members.

The audit and governance committee undertook a thorough recruitment and selection process before recommending the appointment of the further eight independent persons.

They will serve four years in office.