Cllr Spittle was first elected to the Council in 1999 and is a Conservative Member for the St Catherine's and Hurn Ward.

Previously Mayor in 2004/05 she is also portfolio holder for housing, a member of the Planning Control committee and of the Scrutiny committee.

She is active in the community as chairman of St Catherine's Hill Community Hall and Friends of St Catherine's Hill, ambassador for UK Guiding and a trustee of Age Concern.

She was born in Christchurch where her parents were well known in the town for their commitment to many charities and organizations. Her father was a founder member of the Christchurch Citizens Association in 1944 and her mother was a Borough Councillor from 1970 to 1979.

Generations of her father's family have lived and worked in Christchurch. Her great grandparents ran a business in Wick Lane and her grandfather a gentleman's hairdressers in Bargates.

Sue was educated at Christchurch Priory and Brockenhurst Grammar Schools and what is now Leeds Metropolitan University. Since 1969 she has been employed as a Tax Consultant dealing mainly with personal tax. Currently Employed by Ferndown Business Advisers Ward Goodman, she has recently achieved Fellowship status with her professional association.

She is married to John, a Health and Safety Advisor to the Chemical Industry, who will be her escort during her mayoral year. They have two children, Penny and Michael, and one grandson, Adam.

Her interests are her family, the countryside, the natural environment, the heritage and the community of Christchurch.

Her chosen three Mayoral charities are Girl Guiding (Twynham), Parkinson's Society (Christchurch) and Zoe's Wish, a small charity formed to financially assist young adults or others in need of regular essential treatment at a hospital or specialist treatment centre.

On being sworn in, the new Mayor said: "I thank my fellow Councillors for electing me to serve as Mayor of our Ancient Borough. It is a great privilege and honour which I take very seriously, and I will work for the benefit of all who live and work here."

At the annual meeting Cllr Peter Hall was also sworn in as Deputy Mayor for 2010/11. Cllr Hall is Liberal Democrat member for the town centre ward.

Cllr Mrs Spittle will be supported during her year of office by her husband John.

• The Mayor's Consort is Mr John Spittle
• The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress are Councillor Peter Hall and Mrs Sally Hall
• The Mayor's Chauffeur is Mr Chris Wiltshire
• The Macebearer is Mr Ron Chapple

• History of the Mayor

• The Old Town Hall

• Mayor's charities

• Mayoral engagements, press releases and photos

• Democratic Services and Mayoralty Officer (part-time)
  Name: Tina Dudley
  Email: t.dudley@christchurch.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495134
  Fax: 01202 495107
  Full details for Tina Dudley