THE new chairman of Wyre Forest District Council says he will "strive to be apolitical" during his third stint in the role.

Conservative councillor Stephen Williams went unchallenged as he was elected as chairman for 2014/15 at the authority's annual meeting on Wednesday last week.

Mr Williams takes over from Liberal councillor Fran Oborski who announced she had raised more than £6,200 for her charities - Churches Together in Kidderminster's foodbank project and the Kidderminster Hospitals League of Friends scanner appeal - which is being run in conjunction with The Shuttle.

Mr Williams' charities will be Help for Heroes and the Kidderminster-based Museum of Carpet.

Conservative councillor Chris Rogers was elected vice-chairman for the year, he was also unchallenged.

Mr Williams said: "I will strive to be apolitical, I will strive to treat all councillors from all parties with respect."

It is the third time Mr Williams will have been chairman of the council after taking on the role in 2005/06 and 2008/09. He has been chairman of the planning committee for eight of the last nine years and was first elected to the council in 1999. His consort for the year will be his wife Christine Williams.

Thanking councillors for their support during her year as chairman, Mrs Oborski said: "Thank you for giving me such a wonderful way to celebrate 40 years of Wyre Forest District Council, I truly enjoyed the last year attending 112 engagements. I would also like to thank my vice-chairman Daniel McCann.

"I am grateful to all those who supported me and thank you to all who supported my charities this year. We are still counting the coppers but we have raised at least £6,200 to share between those charities. It has been fantastic support and I wish Stephen Williams a really successful year."

District council leader, Conservative councillor Marcus Hart, said: "Thank you to Fran Oborski for being a fair and very active chairman for the last year. She has represented the whole Wyre Forest wherever she has gone and raised a substantial amount for her charities."

He added: "Colleagues will be aware that Stephen Williams has very ably chaired this council before and in my submission has done it with fairness, wisdom, distinction and impartiality. He will make a firm but fair chairman for what should be an interesting municipal year.

"Chris Rogers represents Stourport and it is important that the civic top table in the district is widely represented."

For more information on chairman's engagements and appearances, contact Karen Walsh on 01562 732708 or email karen.walsh@wyreforestdc.gov.uk