HAMPSHIRE County Council has elected a new chairman.

Taking over the role will be councillor Graham Burgess, who will preside over meetings and represent the authority on royal visits and ceremonial occasions in the county.

Councillor Burgess said: “I thank my fellow members of HCC for electing me as chairman.

“I would also like to thank our past chairman, Keith Chapman, who has had a fantastic year.

“My theme this year is the armed forces and veterans of Hampshire. Hampshire has the largest number of serving members of the armed forces, as well as veterans. I hope to raise their profile at every opportunity in what they do and what they have achieved, working with our armed forces champion councillor Andrew Joy.”

Cllr Burgess has been in local government since 1998 when he was elected to Gosport Borough Council to represent Lee on the Solent.

He joined HCC in May 2013, representing Lee on the Solent, Grange and Rowner (the Lee electoral division). He served as mayor of Gosport in 2005/2006, he has been deputy leader of Gosport Borough Council since 2009.

Councillor Elaine Still, county councillor for the Loddon division, was appointed vice chairman of HCC.

Outgoing chairman councillor Chapman was thanked for his service over the past year.

His highlights included his first chairman’s concert, which featured a guest appearance from Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and West End star, Gina Beck, and a subsequent concert at The Anvil in Basingstoke, at which some of Hampshire’s most talented young musicians played Carmina Burana, in its entirety.

Cllr Chapman also represented the county council at a number of key events during the year, attending seven royal visits and over 56 music related events.

On stepping down from his role as chairman, councillor Chapman said: “The aim for my chairman’s year of music was to encourage as many young people as possible to get involved with music, either by joining an ensemble or by being part of the audience.

“I’ve been delighted with what we’ve managed to achieve over the last year. I think what I have been most moved by is the enthusiasm for my theme – from the Hampshire Music Service, to fellow councillors and of course, the enthusiasm from young people and their parents from across Hampshire who have taken part this year.”