COUNCILLOR John Blissett has become mayor of Barnard Castle for the fourth time.
He took over from Cllr Sandra Moorhouse who spent two years in the role.
Cllr Blissett, who was first mayor in 2007, said: “I’m not going to make any promises for the year other than to continue to work for the town and the groups we’re involved in to make Barney better.
“I won’t promise to do something like getting rid of dog poo on the streets because I haven’t got any chance of doing that.”
He was selected at the annual meeting of the town council after being nominated by Cllr Frank Harrison, who became deputy mayor. There were no other names put into the ring to be mayor.
One of Cllr Blissett’s first functions was to attend The Queen’s Buckingham Palace’s Garden Party last week.
Cllr Moorhouse said she had attended 79 civic engagements over the past mayoral year.
She said: “It takes an awful lot of your time during the year. If you are not prepared, it can be difficult.”
She suggested changing the system so there would be a “mayor elect” , giving the next-in-line time to get ready. However, this idea failed to get off the ground.
Cllr Moorhousesaid her main aim had been supporting initiatives such as Making Barney Brighter Together group, which was launched to support the high street. She still raised £2,000 for charities and good causes, including supporting the Scouts and The Bowes Museum’s First World War project.
Cllr Blissett described her as a hard act to follow but he would “do his best” .
