A new mayor has been elected at a meeting of Waltham Forest council.

Hoe Street councillor Saima Mahmud took the golden chain from Cllr Terry Wheeler last night at the annual full council meeting.

Cllr Mahmud has lived in Waltham Forest all her life, attending Greenleaf Primary, Walthamstow School for Girls and then Sir George Monoux College. At university she received a Masters in International Law.

The junior cabinet member Cllr Mahmud has been a councillor for nine years, representing the Hoe Street ward.

After being elected she said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be the borough’s next first citizen. I have worked extremely hard over the past twenty years, the last nine of these years as a local councillor, to bring people together and promote community cohesion. As Mayor, it is my intention to continue that approach. 

“I will be working with organisations such as The Kiran Project and Haven, The Survivors of Abuse Network which work tirelessly to support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

"I will also be working closely with public health colleagues and grassroots organisations to promote the physical and emotional wellbeing of residents in the borough.

"In addition, the Waltham Forest Samaritans provide an invaluable service to our residents in desperate need of advice and I want to support this vital and voluntary asset in our community.

“I love this borough and I can never imagine living anywhere else. Civic pride and community cohesion are things that need to be actively promoted and nurtured.

"I look forward to working with individuals, groups and organisations to build further on what we have so that everyone can come together and proudly celebrate being part of Waltham Forest.”

Later in the meeting Leader of the Council Chris Robbins responded to the result of the General Election by setting out his vision for the borough.

He said: “Despite a disappointing General Election result nationally, here in Waltham Forest we can be hopeful. 

“Labour will continue to build our local economy, deliver safer and cleaner neighbourhoods, secure robust quality services for our families and build the affordable houses needed for the next generation.”