THE next borough mayor assured his elevation to borough's first citizen with a comfortable win in the Homesteads ward.

Cllr James Halden, who was one of a number of Tory young guns who joined the council in 2010, has become a authoritative commentator on borough affairs and has been particularly prominent in the fields of education and children's and adult social care.

His selection of deputy mayor last May was a reflection of the respect he has attained and he now looks set to don the chains of office as Mayor later this month following victory against Labour's

Result

• James Halden (Conservative) 1,363
• Jacqueline Dobson (Labour) 704

Majority 659.

Electorate: 6,371 Ballot Papers Issued: 2,117. Turnout: 33.23%