The new chairman of Watford Borough Council has been named as Councillor Jagtar Singh Dhindsa. 

Cllr Dhindsa, who has been a councillor for 18 years and currently represents Vicarage ward in west Watford, succeeds Councillor Darren Walford as chairman.

He has chosen Mencap and the Watford Foodbank as his two chairman’s charities, and will spend his year in office – which began on Wednesday – fundraising for them.

There was a Sikh prayer held at the start of the annual council meeting on Tuesday to reflect Cllr Dhindsa’s faith and the active role he plays within the borough’s Sikh community.

The theme for his year as chairman will be: “In Watford there is far more that unites us than the things that divide us”.

Cllr Dhindsa – who was first elected as a councillor in 1994, representing Leggatts ward – said: “We have quite a diverse community in Watford and we all get along.

“It was really sad and sickening to hear about the events that took place in Manchester on Monday night. We need to unite and stay together. Their aim is to divide us and we should not allow that to happen.

“I have grown up in Watford. I came to Watford in 1973 when I was 10 years old. I am very proud to be the chairman.”

He spoke about the great community spirit of people in Watford and said that he was proud to represent the people of the town. Cllr Dhindsa’s wife, Rajinder Kaur Dhindsa, will be his consort during his year in office.

Outgoing chairman Cllr Darren Walford held a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the recent Manchester terror attack before handing over his robes and chain.

The borough flag outside of the Town Hall was flown at half-mast on Tuesday as a mark of respect for the victims.

Cllr Walford raised £4,172.33 for each of his charities, The Michael Green Diabetes Foundation and Watford Workshop, during his year as chairman.