THE new town mayor for 2015/2016 was elected at Penarth Town Council's annual meeting on Friday, May 15.

Cllr Rosemary Cook was unanimously chosen to replace Cllr Martin Turner with Michael Cuddy replacing her as deputy town mayor.

In nominating Cllr Cook, her influence and perspicacity as well as her efforts in reviving the council were highlighted and praised.

With no other nominations, Cllr Cook was presented with the badge of office and then signed the declaration.

Her husband, Peter Cook, will be to the town mayor's consort for the next 12 months.

Cllr Cook said: "I am honoured to be named mayor. I look forward to meeting with the people who make this town a very special place."

She went on to say she would do the job to the best of her ability and try to live up to the high standards set by the previous town mayor.

She thanked her predecessor Martin Turner and his wife Dorothy for all their time and effort and introducing her to the role when she was deputy.

A vote of thanks was passed recognising the previous mayor's service over the past year.

Cllr Turner began his remarks by congratulating his successor and thanking her for her help as deputy mayor.

He went on to recall the highlights of his time in office including events and the dedication of the councillors as well as the strong volunteer force in the town.

He said: "Penarth's heart beats strongly because of their dedication and unselfishness."

Cllr Turner concluded by thanking his family, especially his wife Dorothy for her support and charity fundraising.

The town mayor's charities will be the Teenage Cancer Trust Wales and Forget Me Not Chorus, a dementia charity which aims to support people with dementia and their families through singing.

Cllr Cuddy was then installed as deputy town mayor. He was praised for his "exemplary service" and being a "great credit" to the council.

There was also news from Kensington Palace which sent a letter thanking the council for its congratulations on the occasion of Princess Charlotte's birth.