THERE was a surprise at Wellington Town Council’s latest environment committee meeting when the long-standing chairman was deposed from the role.

It was assumed by many that Cllr Mike McGuffie would be re-elected to the post during the committee’s first meeting of the new council year 2025/26 on June 18.

However, Cllr Mark Lithgow said: “I think it is time for a change.”

He proposed Cllr Chris Booth who was duly elected.

After swapping seats with Cllr McGuffie to take up the chairman’s position at the head of the table, Cllr Booth said: “I’d like to thank Mike for all the hard work he has done.”

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, was eventually voted in as vice-chairman after Cllr McGuffie politely declined the role.