The new social services chief at Wandsworth has been named as Councillor Vanessa Graham, who reaches the top rung of local politics after 13 years.

She will join the council's cabinet at the head of a department that it sees as a feather in its cap because of its three-star rating.

But she also takes the helm at a time when the proposals to raise charges for care services are being pushed through.

Ms Graham is a former university lecturer and teacher in Nigeria, as well as being elected Mayor of Wandsworth in 1995.

She has been a councillor in Fairfield ward since 1990 and is a governor at St Joseph's primary school.

She said she was looking forward to the job "with real excitement".

January 31, 2003 13:00