Councillor Chris Lloyd was elected as chairman of Three Rivers District Council and will serve for a year in the non-political role.
Councillor Lloyd, speaking after his election at the annual council meeting, said: "I want to build relationships with organisations and individuals in the community who are not currently working with the council.
"I will be walking right across the district, visiting schools and charities as I go. I will also be going 'walkabout' in town centres to talk and listen to businesses."
Councillor Lloyd said he intends to continue the chairman's blog which was launched by the outgoing chairman Les Mead and which received 14,000 hits in 12 months.
Councillor Eric Bishop was elected vice chairman of the council.
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