Mimi Harker was officially voted in as the new chairman of Chiltern District Council last night.

As the Bucks Free Press reported yesterday, Cllr Harker stepped up from her role as deputy to formally take the chains of office at last night's annual meeting of the council.

Nigel Shepherd was appointed as deputy chairman, while there was a slight change to the line-up of the authority's cabinet.

Mike Smith returns to the cabinet in place of Peter Hudson, whose commitments as mayor of Chesham led to him stepping down. He will be portfolio holder for environment.

Peter Martin takes on the responsibility for sustainable development and Graham Harris is now in charge of community, health and housing after a small reshuffle.

Isobel Darby remains as leader with Mike Stannard as her deputy, with Fred Wilson completing the line-up of the cabinet.

Last night's meeting was the first for the new-look council, which had no fewer than 17 new faces voted onto it at the elections earlier this month/ Cllr Darby said: "These are exciting times for local government, particularly with the agenda of a new incoming government. It's great to have an influx of so many new councillors joining the authority, but that welcome is, of course, tinged with sadness at saying farewell to many old friends.

"We have much work to do in the months ahead and I am absolutely confident that my cabinet has the strength, resilience and determination to take us forward."

Cllr Harker said: "It's a huge honour to serve the residents of Chiltern as chairman and I will work hard on their behalf. I'm very much a people person and will relish getting out and about seeing our communities in action. I can't wait to get started."