THE YOUNGEST member of the county council cabinet has ruled himself out of standing for the leadership.

Arash Fatemian, 29, said he wanted to concentrate on his current Adult Social Care portfolio and representing his Kennington and Radley electors.

Members of the Conservative group at County Hall will elect a new leader next April, following Keith Mitchell’s announcement that he will quit after more than 10 years at the top.

Mr Fatemian, the son of a Kennington postmaster, told the Oxford Mail: “It was not a decision I took lightly, and I took a lot of thought into consideration, but I think it is the right decision to make.

“If I am not going to stand, there is no point in delaying that decision. I want to concentrate on the Adult Social Care brief, which is challenging in itself, and also first and foremost my role as a councillor, representing constituents and going to parish councils.

“That is where my commitment lies. There is a lot going on in adult social care, and my energies need to be focused there.”

Mr Fatemian would not reveal who he would like to see take on the job, but said he believed several fellow councillors may consider standing.

He said: “I feel fortunate to be part of a group in which there are many capable individuals who could take over.

“I do not yet know who is going to stand, and until they declare I am not going to comment.

“Keith has spoken a lot about his sense of timing, but I do not think he would have gone unless he thought there are others who could take over.”

Mr Fatemian, a strategy consultant and former politics tutor, used a message on his website to call for open debates among potential leadership candidates next spring as part of the election process.

The two councillors who challenged Keith Mitchell earlier this year seem all-but-certain to stand to replace him.

Thame and Chinnor councillor Nick Carter, a former newspaper editor who has been on the council since 2005, last week said he was “mulling over” running for the post.

Ian Hudspeth, who was relegated to the back benches by Mr Mitchell after standing against him in April, has not yet declared his hand.

Fellow councillors have said they would be “very surprised” if he did not seek to become leader.

And Mr Mitchell’s deputy, David Robertson, may also have a strong chance, having impressed fellow councillors with his leadership style over recent months.