Councillor Brenda Fraser names her chosen charities
Councillor Brenda Fraser has been officially elected Mayor of Merton - the first ever female Jamaican to hold the post.
The Longthornton ward Councillor's chosen charities for her tenure are Age UK Merton and The Avanti Club (a mental health support group). Councillor Fraser will be supported by her husband, Lloyd Fraser, and daughter, Gillian Fraser.
New Deputy Mayor for 2016-2017, Councillor Stan Anderson from Lower Morden, will support the Mayor in her duties over the coming year. Councillor Anderson will be supported by his wife, Jennifer Anderson.
The annual council meeting also recognised the work completed by Councillor David Chung during his year as Mayor, including more than £40,000 he raised for his charities, Friends in St Helier and Merton Centre for Independent Living.
Mayor of Merton, Councillor Brenda Fraser said: “I am honoured to have been elected Mayor of Merton and am looking forward to the year ahead. I will be focusing particularly on supporting the most vulnerable people in the borough.
"Along with my councillor colleagues, I am extremely grateful for all the wonderful work done by outgoing Mayor, Councillor Chung. In this special council meeting, where we heard about the work of our late colleague Councillor Maxi Martin, I would like to pay my personal respects to her as a former Mayor for the borough. She was an inspiration to many people. I will uphold this wonderful tradition to the best of my ability as I follow in the footsteps of those who have held this position before me.”
Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Chung said: “I have hugely enjoyed my year as Mayor of Merton. It was an honour to represent this great borough at so many wide and varied events. I have met so many inspirational residents who do such great work for Merton and the wellbeing of the people who live and work here."
May 30, 2016