By Lyn Barton

A charm offensive is to be launched by under-fire Cornwall Council leader Alec Robertson, who last month fought off a challenge to unseat him from the top job.

The Conservative leader, who had been accused of remoteness, is to invite party colleagues to regular, informal lunches to chew the fat over grass roots issues.

In a further bid to placate rebels, Mr Robertson unveiled a new Communications Group – an inner circle of senior councillors advised by Camborne and Redruth MP George Eustice.

Meanwhile, the leader was slated by opposition councillors after announcing two new Cabinet posts and four new Cabinet Support Members will be appointed.

The move, which is maintained as "cost neutral" is being made despite the authority's mission to make £170 million of savings over the next four years.

The changes were mocked by Cornwall Council's Liberal Democrat leader, Jeremy Rowe.

"It's all a bit of a mess really," he said.

"The Conservative leader was under pressure, so what he's done is sack no one, relegate a couple of people and create six extra posts.

"He is telling staff who have had their wages frozen that the only growth area in the council is on his own Cabinet."

Mr Rowe said he believed the cost of the new larger Cabinet would be borne by council tax payers.

But that assertion was rejected by Conservatives and it is understood any extra expense will be met by the scheduled departure of an officer.

Mr Rowe dismissed the new Communications Group as "the committee for the re-election of the president" and ridiculed the involvement of Mr Eustice as "being forced to get lessons to communicate from outside".

The aim of the group, which has already staged its inaugural meeting, is to open the lines of communications between leadership and rank and file members.

Mr Eustice, who is helping for a few months with the start-up, said he was pleased to take part.

"Over the last two years Cornwall Council has made huge strides in improving its performance but there is still more to do.

"This new group will be working hard to strengthen the influence of the Conservative group on Cornwall Council's agenda and to ensure they fully contribute to new ideas and policies."

The Conservative MP said taking part would not be a distraction from his Parliamentary duties.

The changes to the cabinet structure, which will be formally reported to the Council's annual meeting tomorrow, will mean two new portfolios, health and wellbeing and human resources and a second covering localism and devolution.

Four new cabinet support members have been appointed who will be responsible for culture and leisure, public protection, alternative service delivery and shared services and education.

Mr Robertson said the reshuffle and extra posts were all vital for the authority.

"Areas such as health and devolution will be of increasing importance to the future of both the council and to Cornwall over the coming months and years and it is vital that we have members focusing specifically on these areas ."