MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has taken the helm of a prominent committee in the new Parliament.

The North Cotswolds MP has been voted in as the new chair of the influential Public Accounts Committee. 

Sir Geoffrey won the vote with 301 votes beating fellow Conservative MPs David Davis and John Glen.

Sir Geoffrey previously served as deputy chair of the same committee for seven years. 

The Public Accounts Committee - also known as PAC - examines the value for money of government projects, programmes and service delivery. 

It also holds government officials to account for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending.

The new North Cotswolds constituency includes places near Stroud like Standish, Minchinhampton, Bisley, Slad, Edge, Pitchcombe, Oakridge and Painswick. 

Other areas include Northleach, Sapperton, Birdlip, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden, Badgeworth, Brockworth, Churchdown and Shurdington. 

“I am honoured" 

Following the result, Sir Geoffrey said: “I am honoured to have been elected Chair of the Public Accounts Committee. 

“I would like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates, and am very grateful to all my colleagues for their support. 

“I would like to thank in particular the previous PAC Chair Dame Meg Hillier, both for her endorsement of my candidacy and for her steadfast leadership of the previous Committee.

“During my time as Deputy Chair of the PAC, we identified a range of issues across Government in need of ongoing and robust scrutiny, and as Chair I hope to build on that all-important work. 

“Using the PAC’s overarching remit across Government, we will continue to strive to provide the public with the best available insight into how effectively, efficiently and economically policy is being delivered and propose improvements.

“I will be holding discussions with members on the Committee’s future work when it is established, and look forward to working once again with the National Audit Office to continue the PAC’s vital mission: holding the Government to account for value for money across all of its spending, on the taxpayer’s behalf.”

The result of the chair vote was announced on Wednesday, September 11.

The North Cotswolds constituency includes places like Birdlip, Painswick, Minchinhampton and Bourton-on-the-Water (Image: Newsquest)