Brenda Fraser was elected to be the new Mayor of Merton, the first woman Jamaican to hold the position, yesterday.
Ms Fraser moved to the UK from Jamaica as a child in 1965 and has lived in Mitcham ever since, she has two grown up children.
The grandmother-of-one is well known for her community work and is an Open University lecturer in health as well as an extensive career in the public sector and working for the police.
Councillor Fraser said: “I am honoured to be nominated Mayor of Merton for the coming year and am looking forward to working with community groups and individuals who continually make huge efforts and that are the foundation to Merton being such a great place.
“I recognise the responsibility of being the borough’s first citizen and will carry out my duties, following in the footsteps of the many great Mayors before me.”
Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonaugh tweeted her congratulations to the hard-working councillor.
Congratulations to hard-working #Longthornton Councillor Brenda Fraser! https://t.co/HGqbXwB5cL
— Siobhain McDonagh MP (@Siobhain_Mc) February 18, 2016
Fellow Longthornton councillor and current Mayor David Chung will stand down from the post on May 18.
Picture of Merton Civic Centre courtesy of Diamond Geezer, with thanks
