Councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells was appointed as the new Mayor of Camden last night.

Ham & High: Richard Cotton passes on the mayoral chain to new-mayor Jenny Headlam-WellsRichard Cotton passes on the mayoral chain to new-mayor Jenny Headlam-Wells (Image: Archant)

She was officially installed in the post at the council’s AGM at the town hall.

The occasion was backed by a string quartet, The Mayor’s Players Quartet, in honour of her chosen charity for the year, the Camden Music Trust.

She said: “I am striving to increase the access to arts and culture for all children and young people in the borough through the wonderful medium of music.

“Music-making should not be an elitist pursuit, but accessible to all. It can open up life chances. As the charity’s strapline says, ‘it’s more than music’.”

The councillor for Kentish Town grew up in Cornwall, and became a lecturer in Hull, Lincoln and Leeds.

She returned to London, where she went to University, twelve years ago.

She was elected onto the council in 2010, and has chaired the children, schools, and families scrutiny committee for six years.

Her deputy will be Kilburn councillor, Maryam Eslamdoust.

After taking the oath she paid tribute to her predecessor as mayor, councillor Richard Cotton. “I want to express my thanks to Richard for being such an excellent mayor.

“Around 32 per cent of children live below the poverty line in Camden. I want to make sure that everyone’s able to share in music in all its forms.”

On the same night, Georgia Gould was re-elected as leader of the council, and named an unchanged cabinet from last year. Oliver Cooper was also confirmed as leader of the opposition, taking over from Gio Spinella.

Flick Rea will continue as leader of the Liberal Democrat group.