Liberal Democrat Chrissie Hitchcock is the new Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames after being unopposed by the Council last night.

Derek Osbourne, council leader proposed Chrissie Hitchcock at the annual meeting of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames council held in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall after no other nominations were put forward.

As her first task in her new role, Mayor Hitchcock appointed Kenneth Smith JP as the Deputy Mayor of the Council and her husband Brian Hitchcock as Consort.  Madeline Smith, wife of Mr Smith was appointed Deputy Mayoress.

She replaced Councillor Ian R McDonald who served as Mayor for the 2009 Municipal year.

Mayor Hitchcock, who was also the Mayor for the 2007 Municipal year said: “I enjoyed my year in office as I learnt so much about the Royal Borough, all the wonderful communities that thrive and the hard work that voluntary groups put into keeping the community alive.”

She announced that the theme of the year would be to raise mental health awareness. In particular she mentioned working with the All Saints Church to hold fundraising events over the upcoming year.

Mr Osbourne said of the new Mayor: “She never let the way things had been done affect her from doing the things she wanted to do. She is a canny and skilled negotiator, but most of all she loves her borough. Her commitment convinced me that she will make an outstanding Mayor.”