A NEW Mayor of Hertsmere was appointed at a council meeting in Borehamwood tonight.

Councillor Linda Silver (Con/Bushey Park) stepped down after a year in office to make way for Councillor Peter Knell (Potters Bar Furzefield) at a ceremony in the civic offices, Elstree Way.

A slight mix-up in the order of proceedings, meant Cllr Silver handed over the mayoral chains before she had received her tributes from councillors.

Councillor Morris Bright (Con/Elstree) called her a “mayor for the people and of the people”.

During her year as mayor, Cllr Silver raised a record amount of money for her two chosen charities —more than £14,000 for Help for Heroes and the Jewish Association for Mental Illness.

Labour leader Councillor Ann Harrison (Cowley Hill) said Cllr Silver had been an excellent mayor and representative for Hertsmere.

New mayor Cllr Knell said: “I wear this chain with pride. I will carry the name of Hertsmere with that pride to every engagement I attend.”

Nominations were then sought for a new deputy mayor. Councillor Pat Strack (Con/Kenilworth) was selected following a nomination by Councillor Sandra Parnell (Con/ Hillside).

Cllr Parnell said Cllr Strack had worked tirelessly for the community for many years and would make an excellent ambassador for Hertsmere.

The mother-of-four has been involved in many projects including the campaign to save Aldenham Country Park, Elstree Film Studios. She is a governor at Summerswood Primary School.

Councillors then welcomed new members to the chambers, who were Sam Dobin (Con/Brookmeadow), Carey Keates (Con/Bushey St James), Richard Butler (Lab/ Kenilworth) and Leslie Winters (Con/Bushey North).

Tributes were also paid to former councillors Penny Swallow and Lib Dem leader Roger Kutchinsky, who failed to gain re-election, for their significant contributions to the council.

In other appointments, Cllr Bright will return as leader of the council for the next four years, with Cllr John Graham (Con/Aldenham East) as his deputy.