REDDITCH Mayor Councillor Joe Baker handed on the chain of office to his successor Coun Jennifer Wheeler at full council on Tuesday night.
Coun Wheeler named youth homelessness charity St Basils and mental health and wellbeing charity YoungMinds as the charities for her year in office.
Her consort will be her husband and former mayor Steve Wheeler and she will be assisted by Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets.
Coun Wheeler said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to become mayor. During my year in office I intend to shine the spotlight on a serious issue that we know affects so many people here in Redditch, that of mental health and wellbeing, and particularly for young people.”
Coun Nina Wood-Ford was elected to Deputy Mayor.
The outgoing mayor, Coun Joe Baker, who was escorted in by a squad of Army Cadets, thanked the Redditch community as he split £5,100 raised during his year in office equally between his chosen charities, the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation, Redditch Mental Health Action Group (MHAG), and the Samaritans.
He also entertained councillors with a photo montage of his year in office.
Reflecting on the last 12 months, Coun Baker said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege.
“I knew that taking on the responsibility of Mayor was not going to be easy for me as diplomacy is not my greatest asset.
“However with the gentle guidance and support of Coun Bill Hartnett I have managed to steer a steady ship.”
His year has been marked by considerable highs, including meeting Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, but he said it was Redditch that held his heart.
“The biggest high point was meeting the wealth of wonderful people living here in this town and I will cherish those memories all my life.”
The full council meeting also brought one change to the executive committee, with Coun Baker replacing Coun Yvonne Smith as portfolio holder for Community Safety and Regulatory Services.
