The new Mayor of Brent was given the inaugural chains of office in an appointment ceremony on Monday last week, writes Kate Ferguson. Cllr Harbhajan Singh was elected at Brent Council s annual Mayor Making Ceremony, as voluntary, community organisations a

The new Mayor of Brent was given the inaugural chains of office in an appointment ceremony on Monday last week, writes Kate Ferguson.

Cllr Harbhajan Singh was elected at Brent Council's annual Mayor Making Ceremony, as voluntary, community organisations and councillors looked on.

Cllr Singh, accompanied by his wife and Mayoress, Mrs Kawal Singh, OBE, began his year in office by announcing the Mayor's charities, which are Asian People's Disability Alliance, St Luke's Hospice and Shooting Stars.

Born in Basra, in Iraq, Cllr Singh moved to Brent 44 years ago and joined the Labour Party more than ten years ago.

He was first elected as a councillor for the Welsh Harp ward in 2002 and has been a vocal campaigner for the protection of open space from development.

He has two children and four grandchildren.

The new mayor will be supported by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Aslam Choudry and the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Jamila Begum Choudry.

The popular outgoing Mayor, Cllr Jim O'Sullivan, thanked Brent's new mayor for his support and wished him the best for the year to come.