HAMPSHIRE County Council’s chain of office has passed to Gosport councillor Graham Burgess, who has been elected as the new chairman.

Mr Burgess was elected at the annual meeting of the county council on May 25.

As the civic head of the county, the chairman presides over meetings and ensures they are conducted in line with standing orders and that they are a forum for debating issues. He also represents the county council on royal visits and ceremonial occasions in Hampshire, as well as other civic activities and duties.

Mr Burgess has been in local government since 1998 when he was elected to Gosport Borough Council to represent Lee on the Solent. He joined Hampshire County Council in May 2013, representing Lee on the Solent, Grange and Rowner (the Lee electoral division). He served as mayor of Gosport in 2005-06, and he has been deputy leader of Gosport Borough Council since 2009.

Mr Burgess previously served as a member of the Royal Navy. He joined in 1966 as a radio electrical mechanic, and completed his service in 1989 as a weapons engineer. He later held a position as a sonar trials officer before being promoted to run a large technical department in Portsmouth Dockyard.

In paying tribute to outgoing chairman Keith Chapman and his wife, Jennifer, for “a fantastic year”, and in thanking fellow members for electing him as Mr Chapman’s successor, Mr Burgess said: “My theme this year is the Armed Forces and Veterans of Hampshire. Hampshire has the largest number of serving members of the Armed Forces, as well as veterans. I hope to raise their profile at every opportunity in what they do and what they have achieved, working with our Armed Forces Champion Andrew Joy.”

Mr Burgess has been married for 43 years, has two daughters and one granddaughter.

Elaine Still (representing Loddon division) was appointed vice-chairman.

The annual meeting then saw the re-election of Roy Perry as leader.

The meeting was the first for the authority since local elections on May 4.

Hampshire County Council comprises 78 seats, made up of 56 Conservatives, 19 Liberal Democrats, two Labour Party members, and one member from the Community Campaign (Hart).

As leader of the majority political party on the county council, Mr Perry heads up the authority in delivering the range of essential local services that impact on all aspects of everyday life for 1.3 million people living in the Hampshire County Council area – from education, roads and social care to access to the countryside and libraries.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Perry said: “I am grateful to my colleagues for placing their confidence in me as their leader for another term. I am particularly grateful to my deputy leader, Keith Mans, and other executive members who work hard, day in and day out for Hampshire residents.

“It’s not been easy to set budgets and steer Hampshire in a time of austerity, and with many pressures on our services, but we work well as a team, and supported by excellent officers. Hampshire County Council is well regarded across the whole country and I count myself fortunate to be leading one of England’s best county councils.”

The members of the new Hampshire County Council Cabinet are:

Roy Perry: Leader & executive member for policy and resources;

Keith Mans: Deputy leader & executive lead member for children’s services;

Peter Edgar: Executive member for education;

Liz Fairhurst: Executive member for adult social care and health;

Andrew Gibson: Executive member for culture, recreation and countryside;

Rob Humby: Executive member for environment and transport;

Andrew Joy: Executive member for communities, partnerships and external affairs;

Mel Kendal: Executive member for economic development;

Stephen Reid: Executive member for human resources and performance;

Patricia Stallard: Executive member for public health;

Edward Heron: Assistant to the executive members & rural affairs champion.

The new Cabinet will meet for the first time on June 19.