Brighton & Hove City Council
Council
4.30pm21 May 2026
Council Chamber, Brighton Town Hall
MINUTES
Present: Councillors Grimshaw (Chair), Asaduzzaman, Atkinson, Alexander, Allen, Baghoth, Cattell, Daniel, Davis, Earthey, Evans, Fishleigh, Fowler, Galvin, Gauge, Goddard, Goldsmith, Guilmant, Helliwell, Hewitt, Hill, Hogan, Lademacher, Loughran, Lyons, McGregor, McLeay, McNair, Meadows, Miller, Muten, Nann, Parrott, Pickett, Robins, Robinson, Rowkins, Sankey, Shanks, Sheard, Simon, Sykes, Taylor, C Theobald, Thomson, West, Wilkinson and Williams
PART ONE
1 Declarations of Interest
1.1 There were no declarations of interests in matters appearing on the agenda.
2 Mayoral Report 2025-26
2.1 The mayor formally moved that the report on the mayoral year 2025/26 be noted.
2.2 RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
3 Mayor's Thanks and Presentations
3.1 The Mayor gave thanks and paid tribute to:
· the Civic Office and Democratic Services teams for the support provided over the Mayoral Year.
· Father David.
· Her Niece Candice in their capacity as Mayoral consort for the Municipal Year
4 Election of the Mayor of Brighton and Hove for the Municipal Year 2026/27
4.1 The mayor invited nominations for the position of Mayor of Brighton & Hove for the municipal year 2026/27.
4.2 Councillor Theresa Fowler was proposed by Councillor Bella Sankey and seconded by Councillor Williams.
4.3 The mayor declared that there being no other nominations, Councillor Theresa Fowler had been duly elected Mayor of Brighton & Hove for the forthcoming municipal year 2026/27.
4.4 The motion was agreed.
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The mayor then adjourned the meeting at 5.15pm in order for Councillor Fowler as the incoming Mayor to be robed and to take the Chair for the meeting.
5 Declaration of office, acceptance speech and vote of thanks to the retiring mayor
Councillor Fowler in the Chair
5.1 Councillor Fowler reconvened the meeting at 5.18pm and then made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
5.2 The mayor then thanked the Council for her appointment.
5.3 The mayor invited Councillor Sankey to move a vote of thanks for the previous Mayor, Councillor Amanda Grimshaw.
5.4 Councillor Sankey moved a vote of thanks to Councillor Grimshaw as the retiring Mayor for their services during his term of office.
5.5 Councillor Taylor formally seconded the motion, and this was supported by Councillors Hill and McNair.
5.6 The mayor put the motion to the vote.
5.7 The motion was carried.
5.8 The mayor presented Councillor Grimshaw with a commemorative badge in recognition of his year of office.
6 Appointment of the Deputy Mayor for Brighton And Hove for the Municipal Year 2026/27
6.1 The mayor invited nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming municipal year 2026/27.
6.2 Councillor Sheard was proposed by Councillor Allen and seconded by Councillor Guilmant.
6.3 The mayor put the nominations to the vote, and it was carried that Councillor Sheard be appointed as Deputy Mayor for Brighton and Hove for the municipal year 2026/27.
6.4 Councillor Sheard made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Deputy Mayor and was presented with their badge of office by the mayor.
7 Appointment of the Leader of the Council for 2026/27
7.1 The mayor invited Councillor Parrott to propose the appointment of the Leader of the Council.
7.2 Councillor Parrott proposed that Councillor Sankey should be appointed as the Leader of the Council for the municipal year 2026/27.
7.3 Councillor Hewitt formally seconded the proposal.
7.4 The mayor noted that there were no other nominations and put the motion to the vote which was agreed.
7.5 The mayor then invited Councillor Sankey to address the council.
7.6 Councillor Sankey thanked Councillors for their nomination.
7.7 RESOLVED:
That Councillor Sankey be appointed as the Leader of the Council.
8 Council Appointments 2026/27
8.1 The mayor moved that for the municipal year 2026/27 the following appointments be agreed:
(i) Joint Deputy Leaders of the Council, Councillor Tim Rowkins and Jacob Taylor; and
(ii) Leader of the Official Opposition, Councillor Steve Davis.
8.2 The mayor also moved that for the municipal year 2026/2027 the following appointments to the positions as agreed by the various Groups represented on the Council be noted:
(i) Leader of the Labour Group - Councillor Bella Sankey;
(ii) Deputy Leaders of the Labour Group - Councillors Tim Rowkins and Jacob Taylor;
(iii) Convenor of the Green Group – Councillor Steve Davis;
(iv) Deputy Convenors of the Green Group – Councillors Kerry Pickett, Chloe Goldsmith and Marina Lademacher
(v) Leader of the Conservative Group - Councillor Alistair McNair;
(vi) Deputy Leaders of the Conservative Group – Councillors Anne Meadows and Carol Theobald
(vii) Leader of the Brighton & Hove Independent Group – Councillor Bridget Fishleigh
9.3 The motion was carried.
9.4 RESOLVED:
That the following appointments to the positions as agreed by the various Groups represented on the Council be noted:
(i) Leader of the Labour Group - Councillor Bella Sankey;
(ii) Deputy Leaders of the Labour Group - Councillors Tim Rowkins and Jacob Taylor;
(iii) Convenor of the Green Group – Councillor Steve Davis;
(iv) Deputy Convenors of the Green Group – Councillors Kerry Pickett, Chloe Goldsmith and Marina Lademacher
(v) Leader of the Conservative Group - Councillor Alistair McNair;
(vi) Deputy Leaders of the Conservative Group – Councillors Anne Meadows and Carol Theobald
(vii) Leader of the Brighton & Hove Independent Group – Councillor Bridget Fishleigh
9 Appointment of Cabinet Members
9.1 The Leader of the Council, Councillor Sankey informed the Council of the appointment of the Cabinet for 2026/27.
9.2 RESOLVED:
That Council notes the appointment of Cabinet Members and Cabinet Advisors by the Leader as set out in Appendix A.
10 Review of Political Balance and Appointment of Committees, Outside Bodies And Partnerships 2026-27
10.1 The mayor moved the recommendations as listed in the report of the Chief Executive which had been circulated as part of the addendum papers.
10.2 Councillor Picket moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group which was seconded by Cllr Shanks.
10.3 Cllr Earthey and Evans spoke on the matter.
10.4 The mayor put the amendment to the vote and confirmed it had been lost.
10.5 The mayor put recommendations in the report to the vote, and it was carried.
10.6 RESOLVED:
That the recommendations be approved.
11 Close of Meeting
The meeting concluded at 6.23pm
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Signed
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Chair |
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Dated this |
day of
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2026 |