KEEPING council debates and irate members in check should be no problem for Wyre Forest District Council's new chairman.

Pauline Hayward, who was in the hot seat for her first meeting last Wednesday, has 22 years' experience as a former home economics lecturer at Kidderminster College to call upon in her new role.

The Health Concern group lost overall control of the council at this year's elections but formed a minority administration and Conservative Mrs Hayward was the popular choice to take up the vital position.

She is not short of experience at district level, having represented Blakedown for 21 years and been leader of the council's Conservative group for four years until recently.

However, the 66-year-old said: "Although I have been in local government for a long time, chairing my first working meeting of the full council was a very different experience and I was quite nervous to begin with.

"I am determined that our meetings will be held in a professional and respectful manner and I hope that fellow members will continue to respond positively to the way that I conduct proceedings."

And Mrs Hayward was not slow in moving to restore some "decorum" to full council meetings, held at Stourport Civic Centre.

She has banned teacups from the council chamber after people in the public gallery complained the debate was being drowned out by their clinking.

But while she has much to focus on in the present, Mrs Hayward also maintains a keen - and personal - interest in the past.

Her family have owned Churchill Forge, a historic grade II listed water-powered spade and shovel mill which dates back to the 13th century, since the late 1700s.

Council work and family aside, saving the forge, which is on the English Heritage Historic Buildings at Risk Register, is her main focus. The Churchill Forge Charitable Trust was set up to raise money to renovate it.

Now her first full meeting is out of the way and she is settling into the role, Mrs Hayward is looking forward to putting her experience as a councillor to good use on a larger stage.

"I have always tried to serve my local community to the best of my ability and I am honoured and proud to be representing the whole district throughout the current year."