The new mayor of Sutton Council was formally elected this week.

Councillor Muhammad Sadiq was unanimously selected at a meeting in Sutton Civic Centre on Monday, May 18, At the ceremony Mayor Sadiq described taking over from Councillor Arthur Hookway as 'a hard act to follow' and that he was 'very honoured' and would accept the post with 'great gratitude'.

He said: "I am very grateful to my colleagues for giving me the opportunity to represent Sutton and to continue to serve the residents of Sutton, in my opinion the best borough to live in."

Mayor Sadiq lives in Sutton with the Mayoress and his two children.

A statement released by Sutton Council said he has served the area since 1975, and has demonstrated his passion for Sutton through his work as chairman of the curriculum and standards committee, and as a member of the finance committee at a primary school, where he has served as a school governor for the past eight years. Coun Sadiq said his theme for the next year is supporting charities as much as possible with St Raphael’s Hospice in Cheam and The Change Foundation in Beddington his selected causes.

Mayor Sadiq said he is keen to hear from any groups or organisations within the borough that would like mayoral support.

The new Deputy Mayor is Councillor Joyce Melican.