A new mayor of Barnet was sworn in at the first council meeting since the local elections last night (May 22).

Councillor Reuben Thompstone, who represents the Golders Green ward, became the 54th, and youngest-ever, mayor of Barnet.

The 42-year-old took the chains of office from the borough’s previous mayor, Brian Salinger, who stepped down as councillor this year after serving for 32 years as a member in Barnet.

A New Zealander by birth, Cllr Thompstone has a background in education and has served on the board of governors at several of the borough’s schools.

As a councillor, he has chaired the children, education, libraries and safeguarding committee and the Barnet children’s partnership board.

Cllr Thompstone’s wife Dorothy will be mayoress, and cllr Caroline Stock will be deputy mayor.

Cllrs Thompstone and Stock previously worked on launching the mayor’s Golden Kilometre initiative, which has encouraged hundreds of children at many of the borough’s schools to become more active.

The mayor’s chosen charities for this municipal year will be Live Unlimited, which was launched by the council earlier this year as a charity to help looked after children fulfil their dreams and aspirations, and Kisharon, which supports Jewish children with learning needs and is partnered with the Childs Hill Library.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, councillor Reuben Thompstone, said: “To become the Mayor of Barnet is a tremendous honour and privilege. I am very much looking forward to the year ahead, and to the many opportunities it will offer to meet and serve the many people who make Barnet such as wonderful place.”

The meeting also saw cllr Richard Cornelius confirmed as Barnet Council’s Leader for the next four years, with cllr Daniel Thomas continuing as deputy leader.

Cllr Cornelius said: “I am extremely proud to continue as the leader of Barnet Council. Like all local authorities, we face a great many challenges.

“I very much look forward to carrying on with the hard work the council is already doing to meet those challenges, and to ensure Barnet remains a fantastic place to live for our residents.”