ENCOURAGING more community involvement will be the focus for the woman who has become the First Citizen of Basingstoke and Deane.

Councillor Anne Court, a Conservative member for the Kempshott ward, was appointed as the new Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane at the annual Mayor-making ceremony last Thursday.

The grandmother-of-two and her daughter-in-law Colette, who has become the new Mayoress, took over the chains of office from fellow Conservative councillor Roger Gardiner and his wife Julie.

Addressing the council and guests at the official ceremony, Cllr Court said her priority during her year in office would be to encourage more community involvement.

Cllr Hayley Eachus, fellow Conservative member for Kempshott, formally proposed Cllr Court as the new Mayor and was seconded by Labour’s Cllr George Hood, who represents Norden.

In her nomination speech, Cllr Eachus said: “In her 20 years on the authority, Anne has served 11 as chairman of the development control committee, carving out a role for herself as a true planning expert with a reputation for fair chairmanship.

“It is, however, fair to say that Anne’s greatest role has been that of councillor for Kempshott. Anne is not just an intrinsic part of the community of Kempshott, and so far as I and many others are concerned, she is Kempshott.

“Like the proverbial stick of rock, if you cut her down in the middle; Kempshott is what it would say.”

Cllr Anne Court was born in Barnet, London and moved to Basingstoke when she was five-years-old after her father was posted to RAF Odiham, and she attended Old Basing Primary School, Queen Marys College and Basingstoke Technical College.

She worked for a number of local companies including Hyster Europe, The Basingstoke Advertiser and Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick and Partners.

Cllr Court married her husband Richard in 1978 and had two children – Stephen and Claire.

The new Mayor has been heavily involved in a number of groups in the Kempshott area, and is a member of the Kempshott neighbourhood watch scheme, the secretary of Kempshott and District Residents’ Association and is currently the chair of governors at Kempshott Infant School.

Addressing the council and guests, Cllr Court thanked the previous Mayor and Mayoress, saying: “I would like to propose a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and Mayoress, Roger and Tricia Gardiner

“Colette and I have enjoyed being their deputies and feel that they have done a great job in promoting the mayoralty throughout Basingstoke and Deane.”

Donations to her year-long charity appeal will go to Inspero, Basingstoke Multicultural Forum and the Ark Cancer Centre Charity.

Labour councillor for Popley West, Jane Frankum, has been appointed as Deputy Mayor for the next year.