CHRIS Heath has been voted in as the new chairwoman of Cherwell District Council following the local elections.

The Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote councillor, who was vice-chairwoman last year, will replace the outgoing chairwoman Melanie Magee.

Kidlington councillor Maurice Billington was also voted in as vice-chairman at the council's annual general meeting last Tuesday.

Mrs Heath said: "It is a real honour to be elected as Cherwell’s new chairwoman and I will endeavour to represent the council with true dignity and poise.

"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and look forward to everything the role will bring over the next 12 months."

She added that the appointment was especially heartfelt as it has been a decade since her late husband Eric took up the same post on the council.

She was first elected to the district council in 2010 to represent the Bloxham award, the same year her husband stepped down from the council after 11 years of service.

For her charity of the year she chose Second Time Around, which is based in Banbury and helps provide furniture restoration opportunities for young people.

As her first official act as chairwoman, Mrs Heath received a coat of arms on behalf of the council from former Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry.

Paid for by the former politician, it is the first time the council has got its own coat of arms, which features a wavy blue line in the centre to represent the River Cherwell as well as designs depicting the M40 and the Oxford Canal.

The coat of arms will be displayed at the council's headquarters at Bodicote House, on the chairman's chain and a flag which will fly above the council chamber for meetings and other civic occasions.

Mrs Heath said: "As a council, we are extremely grateful to Sir Tony for this coat of arms and proud to be able to unveil it at the first meeting of the new council following this month’s local elections.

"This council was formed in 1974 but has never had its own coat of arms so this gift has been a long time in the making.

"As the new chairman of the council I am honoured to be the first to wear the chain featuring the new coat of arms and hope it will present an even brighter and more prosperous future for Cherwell and its residents."

Mrs Magee left the position after deciding not to stand in this month's local elections.

The meeting also saw two changes to the council's executive committee.

Colin Clarke was appointed as the new lead member for planning, replacing Michael Gibbard while Lynn Pratt was chosen to be the new lead member for estates and economy in place of Norman Bolster.