Subject: Mayoral
Report 2021/22
Date of meeting: 26 May 2022
Report of: Chief Executive
Contact Officer: Name: Minna Robertson
Liz Culbert
Tel: 01273 291225
Email: minna.robertson@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Elizabeth.culbhert@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: All
For general release
1.1
This
report informs the Council of the activities of the Mayor, Councillor Alan
Robins during the civic year 2021-22.
2.
Recommendations
2.1 That
the report be noted.
3.
Context and background information
3.1
The
Mayor is the first citizen of Brighton and Hove and carries out a range of
civic and ceremonial duties, representing the council across the city and
around the region. The Mayor of Brighton and Hove is not directly elected,
holds no direct power and is politically neutral during their term in office.
The role is purely civic and ceremonial.
3.2
The
Mayor selected the IFCG (Interfaith Contact Group) to continue as his
Chaplaincy for a second year. The IFCG work together to promote understanding
between people of different faiths and their communities within the city.
3.3
The
Mayor continued to support the Brighton Fringe, Leo House at Home, Off the
Fence, the Sussex Heart Charity and Together Co, initially selected in 2020.
3.4
The
charity events planned for 2021-22 took place including the charity health
walk, women behind the blue plaque tours, tea in the Pavilion Gardens and the
screening of Miracle of 34th Street at All Saints Church.
3.5
Events
were affected by cancellations due to the spread of the Omicron variant notably
from mid-December 2021 to the beginning of February 2022. The University of
Sussex graduations were cancelled in January, whereas the University of
Brighton graduations took place in the beginning of February.
3.6
262
engagements took place in the Mayoral year 2021-2022. The figure is an 80%
increase from the previous year of 2020-2021 when 145 engagements took place,
demonstrating the impact of lockdown and slowly emerging from lockdown.
3.7
The
Mayor undertakes many different duties including Chairing meetings of Full
Council, supporting the main aims of the Council, representing the council at
public, civic and ceremonial events both in and outside the city, acting as an
ambassador for the city and working with a wide range of local organisations.
3.8
Highlights
of the Mayoral year included:
·
Hosting
a Primary School in the Council Chamber
·
Service
of Compassion at the Brighton Dome
·
School
visit to Brackenbury Primary School
·
Hosting
the Chelsea Pensioners at Portslade Bowls Club
·
Remembrance
Service at Brighton War Memorial
·
Gay
Games announcement at the Royal Pavilion
·
First
of Advent Civic Service at St Nicholas Church
·
Chinese
New Year celebration
·
Unveiling
of Plaque to Rabindranath Tagore
·
Archbishop
of Canterbury visit to St Peter’s Church
3.9
Due
to Covid-19 restrictions only small gatherings of twelve were allowed in the
Mayor’s Parlour. Scout awards, school visits, meetings and charity events took
place in the Council Chamber.
3.10
Acts
of Remembrance across the city took place with big crowds gathering this year.
The Hove Act of Remembrance is now organised by All Saints Church and took
place at the Hove War Memorial followed by a parade up to All Saints Church for
a Service of Remembrance.
3.11 The Mayor wishes to
thank the Interfaith Contact Group for their work as Chaplain for a second
year. A special thank you to Anthea Ballam and Martin Poole for organising the
Service of Compassion that took place on Sunday 17 October 2021.
3.12 The Mayor would like
thank his Consort Val Cawley for her support.
3.13 The Mayor is grateful
for the support of officers, the civic office team and those involved in
helping to manage the council meetings.
3.14 The Mayor would also
like to thank the Deputy Mayor Cllr Mary Mears for her support.
4.1
As
this is an annual report of the Mayor there is no need for any consideration of
alternative options.
5.
Community engagement and consultation
5.1
There
has been no other consultation required.
6.
Conclusion
6.1
That
the information contained in the report should be noted
7.
Financial
implications
7.1
There
are no direct financial implications arising from this report.
Name of finance officer
consulted: Peter Francis
Date consulted: 10/05/22
8.1
There
are none arising from this report.
Name of lawyer
consulted: Liz Culbert
Date consulted:
10/05/22
9.
Equalities
implications
9.1
There
are none arising from this report.
10.
Sustainability
implications
10.1 There are
none arising from this report.
Supporting Documentation
1.
Appendices
1.
Type
of Mayoral Engagements
2.
Background
documents
1.
None
