Council                                                           Agenda Item 3

 

Subject:                    Mayoral Report 2024/25

 

Date of meeting:    22 May 2025

 

Report of:                 Chief Executive

 

Contact Officer:     Name:  Anthony Soyinka

                                    Tel:       01273 291006

                                    Email:  Anthony.Soyinka@brighton-hove.gov.uk

                                   

Ward(s) affected:   All

 

FOR GENERAL RELEASE    

 

 

1.         PURPOSE OF REPORT AND POLICY CONTEXT

 

1.1         This report informs the Council of the activities of the Mayor, Cllr Mohammed Asaduzzaman during the civic year 2024-25.

 

2.         RECOMMENDATIONS:    

 

2.1         That the report be noted.

 

3.            CONTEXT/ 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 Imam Uthman Jeewa from the Al-Medinah Mosque to be his Chaplain.

 

3.3         The Mayor supported the following charities during her Mayoral year: BHT Sussex, Brighton Students’ Union, Chomp, My University Hospitals Sussex, Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust and Sussex Cricket Foundation.

 

3.4         The Mayor attended 232 engagements and events during his term in office (for a breakdown please see appendix 1) with support from the Deputy Mayor Cllr Amanda Grimshaw.  

 

3.5         The Mayor undertakes many different duties including Chairing meetings of Full 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.

 

3.6         Highlights of the Mayoral year included:

 

·         Chattri Memorial Service to honour the Indian soldiers that fought during the First World War

·         The Raid on Dieppe

·         Undivided India Gate Commemoration

·         University Graduation Ceremonies for the University of Brighton and University of Sussex

·         Citizenship Ceremonies

·         Remembrance Services across the City

·         Children’s Parade, triggering the start of Brighton Festival

·         VE day events on 8th May

 

3.7         The Mayor hosted receptions and meetings in the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber, for the Cub Scouts, Brighton & Hove City Council Apprentices, The Royal British Legion, Remembrance Committee and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children.

3.8         Acts of Remembrance across the City took place with crowds gathering again this year for both Brighton and for Hove. The last service of the day attended by the Mayor was hosted at the Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue and organised by the Association of Jewish ex Service Men and Women (AJEX).

3.9         The Mayor wishes to thank his Chaplain Uthman Jeewa from the Al-Medinah Mosque, and Imam Ahmed Elbeyouk from the Dyke Road Mosque for their support throughout an exceptional year.  

3.10      The Mayor would like to thank his Consort Most Jasmin Ara for her support throughout the year.   

3.11      The Mayor is grateful for the support of officers, the civic office team and those involved in helping to manage the council meetings.

3.12      The Mayor would like to thank the Deputy Mayor Cllr Amanda Grimshaw for her support in attending engagements.  

 

4.            ANALYSIS & CONSIDERATION OF ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

 

4.1         This is an annual report from the Mayor for information and there are no alternative options for consideration.

 

5.            COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION

 

5.1         No further consultation has been required for this report.

 

6.         CONCLUSION

 

6.1         That the information contained in the report be noted.

 

7.         FINANCIAL & OTHER IMPLICATIONS:

 

7.1         Financial Implications:

 

7.1.1    There are no direct financial implications arising from this report.

 

            Finance Officer Consulted:     Ishemupenyu Chagonda            Date:12/05/2025

 

7.2         Legal Implications:

 

7.2.1    There are no legal implications arising directly from the report.

 

Lawyer Consulted: Elizabeth Culbert       Date:12/05/2025

 

7.3         Risk implications:

 

7.3.1   There are no risk implications arising directly from the report.

 

7.4         Equalities Implications:

 

7.4.1    There are none arising directly from the report.

 

7.5         Sustainability Implications:

 

7.5.1    None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Appendix 1:

 

Appendices:

 

 

1.     Type of Mayoral engagements

 

Types of Engagements:

Number of:

Percent of:

Arts & Creative

27

12

Charity, Fundraising or Volunteering

23

10

Parlour Meetings & Receptions

3

1

Faith Communities

29

12

Aspects of Health, Age or Well-being

6

3

Sporting Activities

6

3

Traditional, Civic or Heritage

31

13

Meetings

19

8

Young People, Schools & Graduations Ceremonies

39

17

Economy & Business

1

0

Communities & Equalities

39

17

Interviews

9

4