Agenda item - Mayor's Communications.

14.1    The Mayor provided the following communications:

Good afternoon, Councillors, colleagues, and residents. It is a pleasure to be with you all today at my first Full Council meeting. Before I begin, I would like to thank everyone who has made me feel so welcome since taking on this role. To say the last two months have been a whirlwind would be an understatement.

It has been an incredibly busy and enjoyable start to my mayoral year, filled with community visits, official engagements, celebrations, and opportunities to meet the remarkable people who make our city so special. One of my first engagements as mayor was attending the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley where I was proud to support Brighton and Hove Albion and represent our city on the national stage. It was a privilege to be there and demonstrate that the whole city stands behind our teams and celebrates their achievements.

I was also honoured to unveil the commemorative blue plaque at the Seven Stars Pub, marking Albion's 125th anniversary and recognising the location where the club was founded.

Alongside my civic duties, we have begun planning activities to support my chosen mayoral charities, Forward Facing and Whoopsadaisy. I am delighted to announce that our first fundraising event will take place in mid-September at Hove and Kingsway Bowling Club, featuring an evening of music and entertainment. Details are available on the Mayor's social media channels and I hope many of you will be able to join us.

We also have a number of exciting events planned throughout the year, including a garden party and a charity walk. Over recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet many charities, volunteers, and community organisations, including at the Brighton and Hove Soiree Rotary Club Family Community Day in Hove Park and the Charity Day held in the Royal Pavilion Gardens. Both events provided a wonderful introduction to the breadth of community activities taking place across our city. I've also been delighted to welcome a number of guests to the Mayor's Parlour, including volunteers from BHT Sussex and a local vet campaigner and author, Mark Abraham OBE, whose first children's book, Leon's Reef, has recently been published. I later joined Mark and representatives from the Sussex Wildlife Trust to visit the Secrets Beneath the Sea exhibition on the seafront, where children and families enjoyed a reading of the book, followed by a community beach clean.

It was a particular honour to host this year's Battle of Boar's Head commemoration, and to include within the service the rededication of the Brighton War Memorial following the completion of the Valley Gardens restoration works. The improvements to the memorial area, including the resetting of the memorial stones, new paving, and pedestrianisation, have created a more accessible and reflective space where residents can honour those who gave their lives in service. I would like to thank the Archdeacon of Brighton and Lewes and my Chaplain, Father Tom Holbird, for leading this important service. I was also delighted to attend Armed Forces Day at the Take Shelter air raid shelter at Downs Junior School. The day included a tour of this remarkable site, opportunities to meet veterans and cadets, and participation in the drumhead service. As part of the city's Armed Forces Day celebrations, we were also part of the Patcham Silver Band at Brighton Bandstand. Where residents enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of traditional marching tunes and modern favourites.

Earlier this month, the Civic Office team and I attended St Matthias Church in Fiveways, where Father Tom serves as Vicar. As a member of the congregation, it was particularly special to introduce myself formally as Mayor, speak about my role both as Mayor and Ward Councillor, and reflect on the important contribution Father Tom will make to our civic life as Mayor's Chaplain. We were all made to feel incredibly welcome.

The diversity of events I've attended demonstrates the incredible vibrancy of our city, from opening the new paddle courts at Withdean, and visiting the University of Sussex New Health and Wellbeing Centre, to attending the Woodingdean Carnival, leading the citizens' ceremonies, meeting the Hangleton Women's Multicultural Group, and joining celebrations at Brighton Bear Weekend. Every engagement has reinforced the strength and richness of our communities.

I've also been privileged to attend a number of events celebrating and supporting our LGBTQIA+ communities. These are included in the launch of the latest edition of Scene Magazine during Pride Month, as well as the summer concerts of both the Actually Gay Men's Chorus and the Rainbow Chorus. These performances were joyful, moving, and a wonderful example of the creativity and inclusivity that Brighton and Hove is known for.

Most recently, I had the pleasure of attending Trans Pride, where I met organisers, volunteers, charities, and community groups who work tirelessly to support our trans and non-binary communities. It was a fantastic day of celebration, visibility, and solidarity and I am extremely grateful for the warm welcome I received. I am very much looking forward to joining the city's Pride celebrations next month and seeing Brighton and Hove at its very best.

As Mayor, it has been a privilege to represent our city over these past two months. Everywhere I go, I am reminded of the kindness, commitment, and community spirit that defines Brighton and Hove. Finally, as we approach the summer break, I hope that everyone is able to take some well-deserved time to rest and recharge and to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Thank you.