CHARD’S newly sworn in town council has elected its mayor for the next 12 months as Cllr Jason Baker.

The council came together for its first meeting last week (May 9) where Cllr Garry Shortland stood down after two years in the role of mayor.

Jason Baker is the Chard Carnival Committee chairman and a member of the Chard Town Team.

There were no other councillors proposed for the role and Cllr Baker was elected unanimously.

After taking the chain, Cllr Baker said: “I thank members for their support. I would like the new council to work together towards the common goal in serving the people of Chard.

“I am keen to use the role of mayor to forge links with local businesses to help them grow and flourish.”

The role of mayor’s consort will taken up by Jason’s wife, Marie.

Cllr Baker picked Cancer Research UK as his first chosen charity for the year, and said: “It is a cause close to my family’s heart.

“I have lost several members of my family to cancer in the recent times, and they are always in my thoughts.”

The mayor will also be raising money for Little Daffodils, a Chard-based babyloss charity.

He also picked The Project, which works to fight social isolation, and Chard Memory Cafe, which supports people with dementia and their carers.