THERE is a new face in the cabinet at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council after the leader announced his new team at a recent full council meeting.

Rooksdown ward councillor Cllr Simon Bound has replaced the retiring Cathy Osselton and has been announced as the cabinet member for communities and community safety.

Cllr Clive Sanders, returning for his fifth term as council leader announced his cabinet at the first full council meeting since the local election, with Cllr Terri Reid acting as his deputy for a second year.

The make-up of the seven strong cabinet has remained the same – except for the addition of Cllr Bound – but some of the members’ roles have now changed.

On his appointment into the role in cabinet, Cllr Bound said: “I couldn’t feel more privileged than be asked to take on responsibility for communities across the borough.

“I see the borough as a place of great diversity with an opportunity for everyone to benefit from the current and planned growth and investment.

“I make a commitment to support with people across the borough to achieve that and look forward to working with local community groups.”

Cllr Sanders added: “We welcome Cllr Simon Bound to the cabinet. With his extensive experience in working in the local community with a range of different age groups and needs, he is well placed to take over the reins from Cllr Osselton.”

Also at the council meeting held on May 12, Cllr Jane Frankum was appointed as mayor for the 2016/2017 civic year, with Tony Frankum, her son, as her escort.

Cllr Mrs Frankum’s other son, and fellow councillor, Cllr Paul Frankum was voted in as her deputy to which she proclaimed “big grins from a proud mum”.

The ceremonial mayor-making will took place at the civic offices last, and there will be a full report and pictures in next week’s Gazette.

Meanwhile the outgoing mayor visited a Basingstoke college to meet staff and students and tour the facilities.

Councillor Anne Court and her husband Richard had a close-up look at the many specialist training areas at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), including Evolve Hair and Beauty salons, The Restaurant, automotive workshop and recording studios.

The pair began their tour in the college’s training kitchen where the mayor had a lesson in knife skills and learned how to shape a tomato into a rose, before heading to the photography dark room where students demonstrated traditional methods of photography using a developing machine.

Cllr Court said: “As I approach the end of a very busy mayoral year, this was a wonderful opportunity for my husband and I to have a good look around the college and see for ourselves the fantastic facilities available to students.

“We really enjoyed chatting to the staff and learners and having a go at some of the activities.

“It was a great morning and I would like to thank principal Anthony Bravo and his team at BCoT for making us so welcome.”