A NEW chairman of Richmondshire District Council has been elected.

Councillor Rob Johnson, ward member for Catterick Village, will act as the face of the council for the next year, with Coun Russell Lord as the vice-chairman.

Coun Johnson, who has also been in the chairman’s seat in 2008 to 2009, said he hopes to bring balance and responsible behaviour to the council chamber when he leads council debates.

He said he was looking forward to his year in the post, and would be fundraising for Michael Syddall Church of England Primary School in Catterick Village, and for the Guides and Scouts associations in the village.

He said: “The school, Scouts and Guides were overjoyed with the news that I would be fundraising for them this year.”

Coun Johnson spent 27 years in Local Authority Care Provision working and managing children’s centres, before constructing and managing residential care homes for the elderly from the early 1990s.

He said: “I am looking forward to the coming year – in meetings I hope to make sure people have the opportunity to express their opinion, but arguments should not be created or pursued for the sake of it.”

Coun Johnson’s first function as chairman of the council is a Richmond Operatic Society performance of Coun Johnson can be contacted on cllr.r.johnson@richmondshire.gov.uk.