IT was all-change at Bexley’s annual council meeting with the election of a new mayor and deputy mayor and a new-look cabinet and shadow cabinet.

The family of new mayor Councillor Ray Sams from St Michael’s ward in Welling is no stranger to the mayor’s parlour.

His older brother Brian was a long-standing Bexley councillor and was mayor in 1981/2 and Brian's widow Rita became a councillor and then mayor in 1997/98.

Cllr Sams has lived all his life in Bexley, one of four children who live in the “huts” in Welling, built during the First World War for the Royal Arsenal munitions workers.

After leaving Welling School aged 15, Cllr Sams went into the motor industry, training as a mechanic and met his future wife Diane at Lewis Evans.

He then went on to teach at Erith College of Technology before he and his wife’s love of music led them to open their first record shop in Plumstead.

They opened two more branches of TW Records in Erith and Bexleyheath, as well as other businesses in the borough.

His wife will serve as mayoress, while fellow Tory, Councillor John Wilkinson and his wife Carol will be deputy mayor and mayoress.

Cllr Sams’ mayoral charity will be the Ray of Sunshine Appeal, raising cash for Bexley SNAP (Special Needs Access to Provision) for disabled youngsters and Bexley Moorings, a one-to-one befriending service for disadvantaged young people.

The ruling Tories also unveiled their new cabinet, with one fewer members reflecting the cutbacks in the administration.

Councillor Colin Campbell remains cabinet member for finance and corporate affairs and also becomes deputy leader, replacing Councillor Simon Windle, who also gives up his education cabinet seat to Councillor John Fuller.

Councillor Peter Craske takes on community safety as well as his former transport role, while Councillor Katie Perrior takes over children’s services from Councillor June Slaughter.

Councillor Chris Ball and Councillor Sandra Bauer remain leader and deputy leader of the Labour group.