New Mayor of Croydon Yvette Hopley
Pic: Charles Farquharson

Yvette Hopley was elected Mayor of Croydon at the full council meeting on Monday.

Hopley, 52,  has been Conservative Member for Sanderstead Ward since 2006 and  said her new role is “going to be challenging.”

She is taking over the post from the previous Mayor, Eddy Arram, who has served for one year between 2012 and 2013.

Hopley has had a number of roles on the council including  Deputy Cabinet Member for Finance and Chairman of the audit committee.

As Mayor Hopley has to remain neutral in all political matters.  She said: “I am not only in charge of the blue team, but also the red team as well and we’re all going to get on beautifully.”

Also attending the meeting was Gerrie Elfrink Deputy Mayor of Arnhem in the Netherlands.

Deputy Mayor Elfrink only attends a Croydon council meeting when a new Mayor is to be elected as part of a long standing history between the two towns.

Croydon is the largest borough in London and is paired with the town in the Netherlands due to the extensive damage suffered by both towns during World War Two.

As part of the tradition between the two towns, the new Mayor of Croydon will also visit Arnhem, said Deputy Mayor Elfrink.

Reporters: Dea Cisar and Charles Farquharson