A new chairman was elected for Wycombe District Council last night (Tuesday).

Cllr Mahboob Hussain took over from cllr Ian McEnnis after being unanimously backed by fellow councillors at the council’s annual meeting.

Upon being appointed, cllr Hussain, who has been part of the council for 17 years, thanked the former chairman for his help, guidance and advice and for being a “fantastic chairman for the past year”.

He also paid tribute to volunteers, having clocked up 4,800 volunteering hours from 1987 to 2000 at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, setting this as his theme for the year.

He said: “Over 21 million volunteers in the UK contribute to £23.9 billion in the UK economy so you can see how important the volunteer sector is.

“Let’s celebrate volunteers and make Wycombe the best place to be.”

He urged councillors to volunteer one extra hour a week, even helping out an elderly neighbour, which would be “very much appreciated by the community” and said he would be starting an initiative during volunteering week starting June 1 where his office will be open for any volunteer from the community to go in and “share their experiences”.

Cllr Suzanne Brown was also unanimously voted in as vice chair for her “credibility within the community”. The two-time Marlow mayor thanked her fellow councillors and pledged her services to the district for the next year.

Council leader Katrina Wood kept her post, as did the cabinet, and talked about personal highlights in her first year as leader, saying the opening of Waitrose and the “fantastic” Wycombe Leisure Centre were particularly “exciting”.

She also talked about housing and said it would remain a “key priority” with the council "exploring exciting potential solutions” to look at housing issues in the area.

She said: “We will now look towards regenerating the remainder of the area with offices and a hotel so the gateway to Wycombe from the M40 will announce what a fantastic town we have.”

Former chairman Mr McEnnis paid tribute to the community for a “wonderful year” and thanked cllrs Hussain and Brown, as well as cllr Wood, the cabinet and ward members for their “support and co-operation”.

He said: “I feel very humbled standing here. What a year it has been for the council.

“What an honour and privilege it has been for me to represent the council and the district in a year where we have experienced growth and success in so many fields.

“I’ve had a wonderful year.”

Cllr Wood praised Mr McEnnis’ “great passion” for the district adding: “He has been a fantastic ambassador for this council.”