THE new mayor of Bournemouth says his theme for the year will be arts and culture.

Cllr Lawrence Williams, who represents Littledown and Iford on Bournemouth council, was handed the chains of office in a ceremony at the Pavilion.

He said highlights of the coming year would include the 10th anniversary Bournemouth Air Festival, which would be “bigger and better than ever”. It would also see Bournemouth’s largest ever outdoor concert, with Olly Murs expected to draw 15,000 people to King’s Park.

Cllr Williams has been the cabinet member for tourism, leisure and the arts from 2011 until he relinquished the post to become the town’s first citizen.

“I loved doing this and I am reliably informed I was the longest serving member to hold that position,” he said.

His charities for the year will be Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Pavilion Dance, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum and Hannah Levy House in Westbourne, a Jewish home for the elderly.

As well as the traditional civic service in St Peter’s Church tomorrow, the mayor is arranging a synagogue service in June.

“I have been involved in Jewish life in Bournemouth for almost 40 years,” said Cllr Williams.

He thanked a host of people, including Elaine, his wife of 42 years, “without whom most of the time I wouldn’t function”.

The mayor’s scout for the year will be Oscar Jackson from the Piranha Explorer Scout Unit and the mayor’s guide will be Rosa Cox from the 31st Bournemouth St Christopher’s Guides. Cllr Williams pledged: “I will always do my best for the town and carry out my duties of mayor of Bournemouth to the best of my ability and with dignity.”