BROMSGROVE District Council has a new chairman.

The first full council meeting of Bromsgrove District Council - the annual general meeting - was held on May 20.

Early in the meeting a new chairman of the authority, who will be chairing full council meetings in the chamber, was elected.

Slideslow councillor Caroline Spencer was nominated by Councillor Kit Taylor who described her as dynamic and energetic.

Cllr Taylor said: "She is very Bromsgrove orientated.

"She will look over us with fairness and integrity."

After being sworn in, Cllr Spencer said she was very grateful to have been elected to the role.

Previous chairman June Griffiths said she have enjoyed being chairman for the past five years and thanked everyone who had supported her during that period. She was then presented with a bouquet of flowers.

In a change from previous years no civic head was named. It is expected this role will be scrapped with the chairman set to become the "face” of Bromsgrove District Council, attending the numerous civic and charity functions to which the authority is invited.

One of the first tasks of the chairman was to name the charities being supported. The charities chosen are the Basement Project and Libby Mae's Little Angels - both Bromsgrove-based.

The chairman's deputy was named as Councillor Helen Jones who will stand in, in the chairman’s absence.

At the meeting it was announced Councillor Margaret Sherrey, who became leader after Roger Hollingworth stepped down from the position a year ago, would continue in the role.

The new cabinet was also named.

Cllr Sherrey will hold the portfolio's for health and wellbeing, partnerships, and community safety.

Councillor Geoff Denaro, who returns to the council after a four year gap, has been given the significant portfolio of finance as well as information and communications technology and human resources.

Councillor Kit Taylor, who was also named as deputy, will be responsible for planning and housing.

The portfolio for leisure and culture is the responsibility of Councillor Rod Laight, while environmental services and WRS have become the responsibility of Councillor Peter Whittaker.