Graham Hill’s first task as the new chairman of East Hampshire District Council was to turn down the chance to jump out of an aeroplane.

Cllr Hill, who represents Alton Holybourne, had chosen Holybourne-based Treloar’s as his charity for 2025-26 - and the students were quick to suggest a daring fundraising idea.

At the annual council meeting on May 15, Cllr Hill said: “They have recently suggested that I should do a sponsored skydive from 10,000 feet wearing my chairman’s chain.

“I’m sure I neither have insurance for the chain, nor do I have adequate life insurance, so I have reluctantly agreed to say ‘no thank you’.”

Cllr Hill paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, Whitehill Chase councillor Catherine Clark, for her year in the role.

He said: “On behalf of all councillors I want to thank and congratulate Cllr Clark for her very successful year as chairman. Cllr Clark has done an excellent job.”

In her outgoing chairman’s speech, Cllr Clark told the council she had attended 135 engagements in her role during 2024-25, and had also completed a personal challenge to visit all 39 towns and parishes of East Hampshire.

She said: “I’m proud to say I achieved it in a very bizarre way, by jumping out of a car - not moving - having a quick pic by a landmark, and driving off, to the shock of a few passers-by.”

Cllr Clark enjoyed a birthday cake on her first day in the role. She had her civic service at Jalsa Salana and her civic day at Butser Ancient Farm.

She said: “This last year has been amazing. I visited some great villages, towns and cities, met with residents, opened businesses, gave awards and felt like a princess in my evening gowns.

“The Rainbow Trust, as my charity, received money from the civic service collection, and also from Cllr Drew’s quiz night. They thank all involved.”

Cllr Clark presented a six-minute slideshow showing many of the places she had been and events she had attended, including her whistle-stop tour of the towns and parishes.

Cllr Hill was elected unanimously as chairman, as was Lindford’s Cllr Penny Flux as vice-chair, but 15 Liberal Democrat councillors abstained from the vote to re-elect Conservative Cllr Richard Millard as council leader.

Cllr Millard was absent from the meeting. Deputy council leader Cllr Andy Tree said: “Ultimately Cllr Millard is the leader, and no other councillor has been put forward this evening as a better alternative.”

Councillors and staff at East Hampshire District Council are paying tribute to former council chairman Ken Carter, who died recently.

Mr Carter was elected in May 2007 and served consecutive terms of office until 2023. He was chairman of the council in 2011-12 and served on the cabinet as portfolio holder for sustainable country towns until 2014.

A council spokesperson said: “He was dedicated to East Hampshire and to the residents of Binsted, Bentley and Selborne, who he represented with passion and determination.”

Flags at the council’s Bedford Road offices are being flown at half-mast out of respect.