A new mayor has been elected to represent Brentwood in 2018/19. 

Councillor Sheila Murphy will take over the role of ambassador and first citizen for the coming year from Councillor Will Russell. 

Her appointment was made on Wednesday night (May 16) at Annual Council, where members of the council were joined at Brentwood County High School by residents, family members, and friends, to witness the traditional mayoral ceremony. 

Her husband Kevin, who she married in 1975, will take on the role of consort for the duration of her post. 

Councillor Murphy was elected as a borough councillor for the Herongate, Ingrave, and West Horndon Ward in 2012, and has been part of the Asset and Enterprise Committee and Planning and Licensing Committee.

Councillor Murphy, said: “I am proud to be representing Brentwood as Mayor and to have been chosen to do this.

"I’m ready to go out there and shout about how great Brentwood is and I hope to be able to carry out all my duties with dignity, grace and a smile.

"During my Mayoral year I will be highlighting and fundraising for three charities which reflect three areas that are very important to me – the community, young people and older members of the community.

"I have always been community minded, that’s where my heart lies, which is a running theme through all the charities I have chosen.”

Her chosen charities are West Horndon Village, which is one of the area's main community hubs, the Brentwood and District Scouts and Brentwood Division Girlguiding, and Wendy's Kitchen, a project which aims to build a new kitchen to modern standards at St Nicholas Church.