Two Reform UK councillors have been voted into Bournemouth’s top ceremonial council positions for the next 12 months.

Roberto Rocca, the councillor for Strouden and Queen’s Park, was elected as mayor during the first Bournemouth Town Council meeting held under the authority’s new structure at the Civic Centre in Bournemouth town centre. Fellow Reform UK councillor Mark Harper, who represents Northbourne, Redhill, Wallisdown North and Winton West, was also voted in as deputy mayor.

The appointments mean Reform UK will hold both ceremonial leadership positions on Bournemouth Town Council during its first year under the updated council arrangements. While the mayor and deputy mayor roles are largely ceremonial, they carry a high public profile through civic events, official engagements and council meetings across Bournemouth.

Councillors gathered for the first meeting of the new authority structure to formally vote on the appointments, marking an early milestone for the council. The outcome also reflects Reform UK’s growing presence within local politics following recent elections.

Mr Rocca will now take on duties linked to representing Bournemouth at civic functions and community events over the next year, with Mr Harper supporting the role as deputy mayor.

The meeting at the Civic Centre marked the beginning of Bournemouth Town Council’s new structure following recent local government changes.