Shoebury Conservative councillor Tony North is to be Southend's next mayor.

Deputy headteacher Mr North, of Church Road, Shoebury, will be the First mayor appointed under a new convention signed by the three major political parties.

Council leader Liberal Democrat Graham Longley, Tory chief Charles Latham and Labour leader Chris Dandridge, formally signed the new agreement on behalf of the three parties on Tuesday.

Under the new procedures, the mayoralty will be offered to the longest-serving councillor who has not previously held the office of first citizen.

However, no one political party will be allowed to hold it for more than four years in a row.

Mr Longley said: "The conclusion of the agreement is something we have been working towards for some time.

"It will ensure the office of mayor is taken out of the political arena."

The agreement will also bind the mayor to use the casting vote in favour of the council administration of the time.

The identity of the deputy mayor will not be decided until after the borough council elections today.

First citizen - Tory Tony North

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