Hiliary Wines, Councillor for the Cathedral Ward which embraces Bankside, is the new Mayor of Southwark.
The surprise appointment was made this week, giving the former Leader of the council's Liberal Democrat Opposition just a week's notice of taking office. Among her first duties will be to announce the General Election result for the borough's three parliamentary constituencies.
Wines' appointment to the mayoralty follows the resignation of last year's mayor Harry Canagasebey from the ruling Labour group, weakening Labour's control of the council.
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