DENIS Southwell is the new chairman of Belmont Parish Council in Durham following the Liberal Democrats' election night success.
The party took 14 of the 15 seats, leaving Labour without a single seat in the parish.
Councillor Southwell was also elected as city councillor for Carrville and Gilesgate Moor ward and has been given a place on the cabinet with the portfolio for housing.
The parish council, at its first meeting, is to view playgrounds and the cemetery to see what maintenance and improvements are needed.
Broadgate Farm Co-operative, Esh Winning, has won the contract to supply and maintain 80 hanging baskets and Cornhill Alliance will be the council's insurers.
The council is to send consultation letters to every household asking for views on proposals to prepare a parish plan.
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