UTTLESFORD District Council officially appointed a new chairman at its annual meeting last Tuesday. Cllr Alastair Walters was elected as chairman and Cllr Sue Schneider as vice-chairman. Departing chairman, Cllr Mark Lemon has raised almost �5000 for his

UTTLESFORD District Council officially appointed a new chairman at its annual meeting last Tuesday.

Cllr Alastair Walters was elected as chairman and Cllr Sue Schneider as vice-chairman.

Departing chairman, Cllr Mark Lemon has raised almost �5000 for his nominated charity, the St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood.

Over the next 12 months Cllr Walters will be working to raise money for Accuro, a charity that provides a range of services to support people with disabilities and their families in West Essex.

He will concentrate on fundraising for the charity's Under-19 Leisure Scheme, which provides social opportunities for disabled teenagers in Uttlesford including two weekly social clubs in Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow.

Cllr Walters, assuming the role, said: "It is indeed a great honour and privilege, and I intend to uphold the very fine standards set by previous chairmen, and not least by our retiring chairman Mark Lemon.