Hertsmere has elected its new mayor.

Cllr Brenda Batten, who has served as deputy mayor for the last year, has succeeded Cllr Charles Goldstein.

Cllr Batten was inaugurated at an annual council meeting held at the civic offices in Borehamwood on Wednesday night after she was elected by her fellow councillors.

The new mayor, who was the only nominee for the role, says she is honoured with her new title.

She said: “It is indeed a great honour for me to accede to the position of Mayor of the borough of Hertsmere and Cllr Goldstein will indeed be a hard act to follow.

"I have enjoyed being a councillor for very many years and now I am really looking forward to this year in my exciting new role. I hope to be invited into several schools to speak to the younger generation to try to nurture an interest in local affairs and local politics."

Her chosen charities for the year will be children's cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, and the Alzheimer's Society.

Borehamwood Times:

Cllr Brenda Batten and new deputy mayor Alan Plancey

Following his departure as mayor, Cllr Goldstein looked back on his year in office.

He said: “It was an honour to have served as the Mayor of Hertsmere over the last year and to visit so many different organisations and experience the level of volunteering, charity and good work done by so many different people in Hertsmere.

“I was supported at many events by my wife Gail, the Mayoress, and had an excellent Deputy Mayor in Councillor Brenda Batten, who I am sure will make a very positive contribution as Mayor in the coming year.

“I wish all the residents of Hertsmere well in the future, the borough is a great place to live and I hope that many people will contribute to all the good causes that exist in our borough.”

Cllr Alan Plancey was elected as deputy mayor for the coming year.

Labour put forward Richard Butler as its candidate for the role of deputy mayor.

Borehamwood Times: