THE new Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane was officially sworn in at the annual meeting of the Borough Council on Thursday, May 12.

Councillor Paula Baker moved up from deputy mayor to take over the top job from Cllr Gwen Richardson.

Cllr Baker, who represents Overton on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, was presented with the official chain of office.

"When I attended my first meeting here in 1987, little did I think I would have a seat on the top bench, let alone the big seat. It's really comfortable - they didn't tell me that beforehand," she said.

Cllr Baker was nominated to take over as borough mayor by Cllr Gill Nethercott, with Cllr Laura James seconding the motion.

The outgoing borough mayor, Cllr Richardson, set a record for overseas trips, with visits to the borough's twin towns - Alencon, Euskirchen and Braine-l'Alleud - as well as a trip to Belgium to pick up Basingstoke's European Gold Star for twinning.

However, Cllr Richardson said it was the people of Basingstoke who were the highlight of her year. "Everyone asks me about my visits overseas," she said. "But I have also visited a lot of societies and charities and I have been impressed with the number of people who do voluntary work and what a great deal of energy and commitment they have."

Cllr Baker promised to use her time in office to reach out to businesses and charities in the borough.

She said: "Basingstoke and Deane is a very lucky place to have the blessings of being both beautiful and supporting a successful economy.

"I will visit businesses both small and large and make sure they know that their continued wellbeing is important to us. Not just to the council, but to the wider community as well."

Cllr Baker also pledged to support the efforts of people working in the voluntary sector and offered her backing to those who protect the environment.

First published: Monday, May 16, 2005