IT was all change at the first full council meeting of Farnham Town Council, with the election of a new leader.

Taking his seat as leader of the council was John Neale, the Farnham Residents councillor for the Firgrove ward.

Scotty Fraser put forward the nomination and said Mr Neale will find himself “stepping into the shoes of an exceptionally good leader” – Carole Cockburn – but added he has “all faith in his ability” and wished him well.

Mr Neale is a new councillor who said that it was “quite exciting and quite a challenge” to be in the leadership position.

He added this next period will be an “exciting time for the new council and for the people of Farnham”.

Also a councillor at Waverley Borough Council, Mr Neale said both authorities will be “seeking to govern in a new inclusive way”, welcoming Conservative and Liberal Democrat members to “play a full part in the town council”.

A new Farnham mayor and deputy mayor were also due to be elected at last Thursday’s meeting, but it was postponed until June 27.

Current Farnham mayor David Attfield and deputy mayor Paula Dunsmore were renominated and elected by their fellow councillors to continue in their posts for an additional six weeks.

Councillors were then asked to readopt the power of general competence, allowing the town council to act as “individuals generally may do”, such as running a community shop or investing in a local co-operative society.

Everyone agreed to readopt the power, except Farnham Residents councillor Brian Edmonds, who took issue with the power being used outside the area, without needing to show benefits to the people of Farnham and with “no limit on expenditure”.

Town clerk Iain Lynch advised that councillors had to ensure powers were used appropriately and use of the power would be debated, but Mr Edmonds asked for his objection to be recorded.