It's all change at Tonbridge and Malling council as the borough starts its new Civic Year.

Retiring Mayor Pam Bates has stood down to make way for new Mayor Jill Anderson.

Cllr Anderson represents Hadlow and East Peckham ward.

She was first elected to the borough council in a by-election in March 1990 and has served on several committees.

Following the introduction of the cabinet system in 2003, she held portfolios for housing and for environmental services.

In 2017 she relinquished her cabinet responsibilities and was appointed chairman of the licensing and appeals committee, a post she had to give up on her election as mayor on Monday.

She has served as a school governor at Tonbridge Grammar, Hugh Christie, Hadlow Primary and Woodlands Primary.

Cllr Anderson works part-time as advertising manager for an estate agent in Sevenoaks.

She has picked Cardiac Risk in the Young as her charity for the year.

Her Deputy Mayor is Cllr Roger Roud, who represents East Malling ward.

At the same meeting, Conservative Nicolas Heslop was re-elected Leader of

the council, a role he has held since 2012. He is also cabinet member for economic regeneration.

He has selected his colleagues to serve in the senior posts for the next 12 months.

They are: Ann Kemp, chairwoman of the general purposes committee; Janet Sergison, chairwoman of the overview and scrutiny committee; Robin Betts, cabinet member for street scene and environment services; Piers Montague, cabinet member for housing;

Martin Coffin, cabinet member for finance, innovation and property and also deputy leader; Des Keers, chairman of the licensing and appeals committee; David Lettington, cabinet member for strategic planning and infrastructure; Vivian Branson, chairman of the audit committee; Mark Rhodes, cabinet member for community services.

Cllr Heslop said: "We are all looking forward to delivering another four years of high quality services for residents across Tonbridge and Malling.”