A NEW mayor of Redditch has been elected following the council’s first meeting since this year’s elections.

Councillor for Crabbs Cross, Salman Akbar, has been elected to serve as mayor for the next year with councillor for Church Hill, Karen Ashley serving as deputy mayor.

Cllr Akbar takes over from former mayor Ann Isherwood, who also lost her Church Hill seat at the local elections in May.

Cllr Akbar said: “I am humbled to have been elected the Mayor of Redditch.

“It is a great privilege to be the first ever British Pakistani Muslim Mayor of Redditch.

“I would also like to thank Former Mayor of Redditch Ann Isherwood for her service to Redditch for the past year and I would like to congratulate Cllr Karen Ashley for Church Hill on her election as Deputy Mayor.

“I look forward to working with different communities and groups within Redditch and promoting community integration.”

Cllr Akbar will choose civic charities shortly, while the outgoing Mayor, Ann Isherwood, raised £13,375 during her term of office for her chosen charity Touchstones.

The meeting also confirmed the council's executive committee which sees Cllr Matt Dormer maintain his role as leader of the council with Cllr Gemma Monaco as deputy leader.

Cllr Luke Court has taken on the role of portfolio for finance and enabling, Cllr Lucy Harrison has taken on the role of portfolio holder for communtiy services and regulatory services, whilst Cllr Brandon Clayton is portfolio holder for environmental services.

Cllr Joanne Beecham returns as portfolio holder for environmental services and Cllr Craig Warhurst is portfolio holder for housing and procurement.

Labour councillors Joe Baker and Bill Harnett make up the executive committee without portfolios.