A review of the facilities at Romsey Town Hall, which will include looking at the possibility of installing a lift, are on the agenda for the coming year, said Cllr Mike Curtis when he was installed as town mayor this week.

Mr Curtis promised that following the election of new members his year in office would be "a year of consolidation, getting our feet under the table and finding our way about."

Fostering a community spirit was high on his agenda, Mr Curtis said. He urged groups in Romsey who do not have a high profile to get in touch with him if they would like a mayoral visit.

But he warned that he and his deputy mayor, Cllr Sally Lamb, both work full-time so daytime engagements would have to be rationed.

"I hope people will understand and accept that we have to earn a living. My employers will give me some time off, but there are limits."

Cllr Mark Cooper said there were three good reasons for supporting Mike as town mayor. The first was his experience as a councillor. He has served for 20 years, 17 of them consecutive. "He has a unique and detailed insight into the running of the council and is eminently suited to the role."

Secondly, his work for a building company at a time when Romsey was under development pressure made his knowledge useful on the basis that poacher turned gamekeepers do a good job.

"Thirdly," Mr Cooper continued, "there is the support he has from his family. Both Mike and Rita are born and bred in the Test Valley area.

"They have three grown-up children, Stuart is a teacher and of the twins Vicky is also a teacher and Julie is a police officer. So we can be sure if Mike can't control an unruly council then he knows three people who can."

Retiring town mayor Cllr Mike Richardson said the last 12 months had been a great privilege. "They make an unforgettable years. This has been due to the tremendous support I have been given by so many people from the widest cross-section of backgrounds, ages and interests in the town. It would be impossible to name them all: they know who they are."

He did mention one name: Cllr Tony Gentle, who until Wednesday, was Test Valley Mayor. "He has given outstanding support, not just to me personally but to everyone in Romsey," Mr Richardson said.

Cllr Charlie Mead proposed Cllr Lamb as deputy mayor. "In the short time she has been on the council she had done a great deal of hard work," Mr Mead said.

Sally Lamb was co-opted onto the council as a member for Cupernham ward in October last year and elected as a member for Abbey ward in the recent local elections.