Council Agenda Item 2
Subject: Mayoral Report 2025-26
Date of meeting: 21 May 2026
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 of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Amanda Grimshaw BEM during the civic year 2025-26.
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 appointed the Reverend David Hazell, Priest-in-Charge of St Helen’s and St Richard’s Church in Hangleton, which is located within her ward, to serve as her chaplain.
3.3 The Mayor supported the following charities during her Mayoral year: Allsorts Youth Protect, Brighton Women’s Centre, Hove & Adur Sea Cadets and Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.
3.4 The Mayor undertook 363 engagements and events during her term in office (for a breakdown please see appendix 1) with support from the Deputy Mayors Councillor Ty Galvin, and Councillor Theresa Fowler.
3.5 The Mayor undertakes many different duties, including chairing meetings of Full Council; representing the Council at public, civic, and ceremonial events both within 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:
· Presenting Citizenship Ceremonies at Brighton Town Hall on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant.
· Hosting events and receptions in the Mayor’s Parlour for charities, schoolchildren, guests, and dignitaries.
· Hosting a Victory in Japan Day Service and a Harvest Festival Service at St Helen’s Church, Hangleton, with her chaplain, Reverend David Hazell.
· Leading the city in Remembrance services, as well as attending various events and receptions marking Remembrance.
· Supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal across the city, which raised £56,000, including leading the Two Minute Silence at the Amex Stadium and supporting cadets selling poppies.
· Hosting a reception in the Council Chamber to mark International Women’s Day, honouring her close friend and mentor Baroness Joyce Gould of Potternewton.
· Attending various events, receptions, and commemorations in support of the LGBTQI+ community, including World AIDS Day, walking in the Pride Parade, a Pride Community Foundation Round Table event, and Trans Pride.
· Working with the Mayoral Charities to host a range of fundraising activities, including an Afternoon Tea in the Pavilion Gardens, a sponsored Sleep Out in Hove Park, the Santa Bus Appeal with Brighton & Hove Buses, the Mayor’s Charities Dog Walk, and a sightseeing tour around the city.
· Meeting children and young adults from across the city.
3.7 The Mayor hosted receptions, visits, and meetings in the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber for a wide range of groups and organisations, including the Rainbow Run Committee; Lunch Positive; various schools and youth organisations; students from Ashikita, Japan; the Pride Community Foundation; volunteers and staff from the Royal Sussex County Hospital; Pelican Parcels; and the Remembrance Committee, to honour the retirement of Lieutenant Commander David Alcock RD RNR as Parade Marshal.
3.8 The Mayor chaired the Remembrance Committee, comprising veterans, cadet leaders, serving members of the armed forces, volunteers, faith leaders, and colleagues from Brighton & Hove City Council, who organised 12 services across the city. The Mayor led the Act of Remembrance at the Brighton War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, which included a parade from Madeira Drive. The Mayor also attended a regimental dinner hosted by the University Hospitals Sussex Armed Forces Network, a service hosted by the Sussex Freemasons, and a service organised by the Association of Jewish Ex‑Servicemen and Women (AJEX) at a local synagogue.
3.9 The Mayor wishes to thank the Reverend David Hazell, Priest‑in‑Charge of St Helen’s and St Richard’s Church, Hangleton, for his guidance, support, and pastoral care throughout her mayoral year. She would also like to thank the wardens and parishioners of St Helen’s and St Richard’s for their warm welcome to the Mayor and Civic Office Team, and for their valuable assistance with the VJ Day and Harvest Festival Services.
3.10 The Mayor would like to thank her Consort, Candice Konig, for her constant support, kindness, and being a wonderful companion throughout the year.
3.11 The Mayor is grateful for the dedicated support of the Civic Office Team and officers across the organisation throughout the year. In particular, she extends her thanks to the Citizenship Team, the Outdoor Events Team, and the Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Eric Page. She would also like to thank the Democratic Services team for their invaluable assistance in supporting and managing Council meetings.
3.12 The Mayor would like to thank the Deputy Mayors Councillor Ty Galvin and Councillor Theresa Fowler for their support in attending mayoral engagements.
3.13 The Mayor would like to thank the many organisations and local businesses for their generosity in supporting the Mayoral Charities Fund, as well as for their kind contributions to the events she hosted, including the provision of refreshments and decorations.
4. Analysis & consideration of 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 and consultation
5.1 No further consultation has been required for this report.
6. Financial implications
6.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from this report.
Name of finance officer consulted: Ishemupenyu Chagonda Date consulted (dd/mm/yy):11/05/26
7. Legal implications
7.1 There are no legal implications arising from this report.
Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted (dd/mm/yy): 07/05/26
8. Risk implications
8.1 There are no risk implications arising from this report.
9. Equalities implications
9.1 There are none arising from this report.
10. Sustainability implications
10.1 There are none arising from this report.
11. CONCLUSION
11.1 That the information contained in the report be noted.
Supporting Documentation
Appendices
1. Types of Mayoral Engagements
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Appendix 1:
Appendices:
1. Type of Mayoral engagements
|
Types of Engagements: |
Number of: |
Percent of: |
|
Arts & Creative |
5 |
1 |
|
Charity, Fundraising or Volunteering |
41 |
11 |
|
Parlour Meetings & Receptions |
32 |
9 |
|
Faith Communities |
23 |
6 |
|
Aspects of Health, Age or Well-being |
7 |
2 |
|
Sporting Activities |
6 |
2 |
|
Traditional, Civic or Heritage |
80 |
22 |
|
Meetings |
54 |
15 |
|
Young People, Schools & Graduations Ceremonies |
51 |
14 |
|
Economy & Business |
12 |
3 |
|
Communities & Equalities |
45 |
12 |
|
Interviews |
7 |
2 |