THE new mayor of Barnet for the next civic year will be this year’s deputy, Councillor Lisa Rutter.

Last night members voted unanimously for the Brunswick Park ward member to succeed Councillor Anthony Finn as the first citizen, from May.

She was nominated by council leader Lynne Hillan, her Conservative ward colleague, and seconded by Councillor Brian Coleman.

He said: “Many of us in this chamber have seen at first hand the hard work and dedication she has given in her role as deputy Mayor.

“She has added to the role a certain elegance, style, fashion sense and many other things. “ Addressing the meeting Councillor Rutter thanked them for their support and told them her deputy would be East Barnet member Barry Evangeli, while her consort will be her husband Mark.

She added: “I’m really looking forward to this year and I need to work very hard to represent the borough.”