BASINGSTOKE and Deane has a new mayor, after the official ceremony confirming Councillor Paul Frankum as mayor for 2017/18.

In a first for the Borough, Cllr Paul Frankum will be taking over the mayoral duties from his mother Cllr Jane Frankum, who has now become the mayoress, assisting Cllr Mr Frankum in his duties.

Previously working in IT, Cllr Mr Frankum has lived locally for his entire life so far, being heavily involved in helping the Popley area for that time.

In 1997, Cllr Mrs Frankum suggested that Popley needed its own community magazine, and he created, along with his mother, the first edition of the monthly magazine Popley Matters which is still going strong today, with 184 editions and counting. Two years after the first edition, he was elected as the borough councillor for Popley in 1999, including when it became Popley West in the boundary review of 2002, where he has served ever since.

Cllr Mrs Frankum said: “I’ve lost count of all the wonderful charities and people I’ve met over my time as mayor, there were so many. There are so many things to do in Basingstoke, and so many ways to support the local community.

“I’m incredibly proud of Paul taking over. I can take a back seat, and it’s been a great year meeting people, that’s what this job is all about.”

The Mayor’s Charity appeal for the coming year will be Basingstoke Voluntary Action for another year, as well as continuing their work with the Mayor’s Community Chest, which awards grants to local charities.

“I’ve certainly had a good apprenticeship, working with my mother,” Cllr Mr Frankum said. “I’m looking forward to starting, Basingstoke has so many things going on and people are doing amazing work .”

Cllr Sean Keating has been selected as deputy mayor.

He was at the ceremony, along with his wife and deputy mayoress Gwen Keating.

Speaking to The Gazette, Cllr Keating said: “I’m really looking forward to starting my duties. I really enjoy meeting people and being deputy mayor will allow me to do just that, and I’m looking forward to getting to know other parts of Basingstoke that I didn’t know before.”