BRAINTREE council has elected its new chairman and vice chairman for the civil year.

Cllr Vanessa Santomauro, ward member for Braintree south since May 2015, was elected chairman for the civic year 2018 to 2019 at the annual general meeting on Monday.

Cllr Angela Kilmartin, ward member for Witham central was elected vice chairman.

Ms Santomauro, said: “I am honoured to be elected chairman of Braintree Council and look forward to meeting as many people as possible across the Braintree district over the coming year, including local groups and organisations who make a valuable contribution to our community.”

During 2018/2019 she will be raising money for her chosen charities: Talk Listen Care, Braintree Active Foundation and Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens.

Outgoing chairman Stephen Kirby raised a total of £3,468 for Action for Family Carers and First Stop Centre.

He said: “It has been a great privilege and honour to serve as Chairman for the Braintree District over the past year.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to award the cheques to Action for Family Carers and First Stop where I know the money will be going towards good causes and make a huge difference to both charities.

“Raising more than £3,000 in my time as chairman has been a great achievement and I would like to thank everybody who supported and donated towards these charities.”

Cllr Angela Kilmartin has been a Witham town councillor and Braintree councillor since 2015.

She is chairman of Witham Town Luncheon Club, Witham History Group and also the planning and transport sub-committee at Witham Town Council.

Her main interests are music and medicine and she has written many books on the prevention of cystitis, candida and mercury poisoning.

As a classical soprano she has soloed around the world, particularly America, performing in many churches.