Agenda item - Mayor's Thanks & Presentations

The Mayor will give thanks for his year in office and make some presentations.

3.1            The Mayor stated that it had been an incredible year and that it was hard to know where to start to sum it all up.  There was certainly too much to tell of with so many amazing, generous, and great people he had encountered that needed to be acknowledged.  All working so hard to make this city the wonderful place it is and it had been his special privilege to help celebrate them all.  He now realised how much people value the recognition and thanks the mayoralty can offer.  After 20 years since first being elected as a councillor he thought I knew the city well, but this has been year of real discovery.

3.2            We are blessed with a rich diversity of communities: neighbourhood communities, communities of interest, our LGBT+ communities, faith communities, and newer communities who have come here to make their homes.  I have discovered particularly how our newer communities, many of them refugees, often look to the mayor for recognition. Many also bond through their faith and I’m glad we have a strong interfaith movement in the city that supports their welcome.  Through Council Prayers my Interfaith Chaplin Rev Anthea Ballam has worked with a diversity of local faith figures, who have introduced Buddhist, Islamic, Pagan, Christian and Jewish worship to the Chamber - I am sure this is much appreciate by so many of our communities. 

3.3            We are experiencing a rise in racism and hate crime across the country, even in our tolerant and welcoming city, and I particularly wish to thank the Interfaith Contact Group, Sanctuary on Sea and the LGBT Community Safety Forum for helping to bring our communities together; and for their work in maintaining the beacon of hope I see shining out from our city on to a troubled world.

3.4            It has been wonderful to have had the opportunity to support so many of our neighbourhoods, like Hangleton & Knoll, where the Hangleton & Knoll Project works so hard to support older people being active and involved, reducing loneliness; and engaging with younger people, helping them discover new talents and boosting their self-esteem.  There are a phenomenal number of people associating through interest in the city, everything from swimming to singing, table tennis to knitting.

3.5            The city is full of choirs; it is simply awash with the celebration of song and I have enjoyed getting to know social and fund-raising groups like Bear Patrol, which annually raise thousands for good causes while having a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed getting busy out with my litter picker working with environmental volunteers from both universities and the ‘deans’ who help communities to keep our beaches and open spaces clean. 

3.6            People have been asking me about highlights of my year and there have been many highlights, and the breadth of activity I have experienced is hard to compare, but one or two special moments certainly stand out.  Being there at the AMEX on the day the Albion gained promotion, and last Sunday’s celebration, that’s right up there. Being part of that celebration with so many Albion legends and the legion of jubilant fans is something I and none of us will ever forget.  A proud moment for the team and the city coupled with our celebration of Tony and Chris as Freemen today.  Heading up the Pride parade with Geraldine, helping to carry the pictures of the victims of Orlando was an equally proud and very emotional moment too. As we turned each corner of the way, the cheering crowd fell silent then started to applaud and make some noise.

3.7            In tune with my chosen theme for my year ‘Active Life’, I’ve taken part in quite a few active events, but none so scary as abseiling off Peacehaven Cliff for the Martlets – just lean back the man said it’ll be fine.  I’ll never forget being dragged up onto the stage at the Golden Hang Bag Awards with Nev Kemp to sing and dance to a medley of old musical numbers with a couple of naughty drag queens, that was pretty special too.  I’m glad I knew at least a few of the words if not all the steps.  And then there were the quieter moments:  Joining some of our eldest citizens and their families in celebration of 100+ birthdays and very long marriages. I’d always ask what’s the secret of longevity; and the consensus was ‘enjoying life.’  School visits and greeting young people at the Town Hall have been special too, as it is so good to have the chance to offer them a little early insight in to the workings of our democracy.

3.8            It has not all been cheery as we have sadly had a couple of special people to say good bye to.  Former Mayor Tehm Framroze, a leading figure for his work with BME groups will be sorely missed, as will Abe Golding the founder and leading light of Brightona through which Abe helped raise so much for the Sussex Heart Charity.

3.9            I chose to support 27 Charities in my year, a chance to raise the profile of some of the smaller, less well known organisations that can often get overlooked.  It was also a chance to ensure a breadth of important issues were being covered, from domestic and sexual violence to homelessness, disabilities to community and family support. This extended family has worked out well, with smaller and larger organisations pulling together, learning from one another and opening the way to potential new partnerships.  This approach has of course kept me busy helping organise and attending events, taking part, thanking volunteers and staff, but it has all been incredibly rewarding and worthwhile.  There’s been a lot of buckets rattled, charity dinners eaten, miles walked and cycled. 

3.10         I have kept a spreadsheet that tells me I have attended 917 events and other activities, given a 348 speeches and interviews, used the Parlour 125 times. I’ve posted 604 times to Facebook.  I’ve arrived at engagements on two feet 212 times and on two wheels 265 times, although I have no break down for how many that was by tandem!

3.11         I’m glad to say we maintained the tradition of having two Pavilion Dinners and we founded two new events and strengthened a third this year too.  I can’t thank enough all those who have contributed to this success.  Colin Brace and Brighton Property Consortium need particular praise for the Paris2 Brighton as do Brighton Fringe for their support.  So too Cycle Support Services and Friends of B&H Hospitals for organising the Biosphere Ride which 143 adults and 16 families took part in.  Rise, City Parks and Health Walks all need praise for their help with the B&H Way Walk.  Altogether, over these three and many other events, we have raise a colossal £94,000 for my chosen charities.  Thank you to all the businesses who supported this achievement with their time and effort, and their generous contributions to raffles and auctions.  Thank you also to the Media for all their positive coverage.

3.12         There are a lot of people to thank and we have already had a thank you evening for staff and key supporters and my charities; but I must thank again our wonderful mayoral staff: Michaela who along with Vicky and Elaine have wrestled with my diary, and Trudy who did so much at short notice to ensure the Christmas reception was a success.  Mark, Abraham and Geoff for your wise guidance and support.  Robbie, my constant mayoral companion: tandem co-rider and, driver - we’ve had so many great times together – entertaining the visitors showing them the bling, racing about advertising our sponsored events, and I have to thank Rob for just getting us to every engagement in one piece, on time and with a smile.  Paul and Darren, thank you for your great company driving us too.  Elliott Hasler and his father Simon who are making a film of my year and everyone who welcomed and looked after us at events.  Long standing friends and so many new friends for their special support.  Karl Jones & Sue Addis – great friends of the mayoralty who helped my charities with the two pavilion dinners.  My Charities, and so many other organisations I’ve worked with.  Councillors, you who have welcomed me to your wards and conducted yourselves with great respect in our meetings.  Passed Mayors - for their wise counsel.  Our 3 MPs, Lord Lt and High Sheriffs who I have shared so many occasions with.  My Chaplin Rev Anthea Ballam, who has introduced to Council to figures from our different faith communities at Prayers Lyn, her husband Eamon, and their children and grandchildren have come along to so many events. Not least the B&H Way Walk which left legs some pretty sore.

3.13         My patient and stoic children Eoin, Clodagh & Tiarnan and of course Geraldine, my Mayoress, who despite pressures of work and family life has accompanied me to so many events - helped us all to keep it together.  I’m so very grateful to you all for all your support. You make me very proud.

3.14         People have also been asking what comes next.  Well I was hoping to catch a bit of a rest but Mrs May has organised some extra activities for us all.  I’m looking forward to reengaging with my constituents in St Peter’s and North Laine Ward. And I am so grateful to my ward colleagues Cllrs Lizzie Deane and Louisa Greenbaum who have been valiantly holding the fort.  I know my Group have missed me too and I’m looking forward to re-joining normal Council work and I will be taking up a place on Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities and Equalities Committee which is very nice.  I hope my experiences this year will help my contribution to that work, and I hope to maintain links and continue to support many of the third sector and business organisations I have got to know.  I’ll also be back on Environment, Transport & Sustainability, where no doubt you’ll be hearing of my enthusiasm for bicycles, whether they are made for one, two or more riders.  But most of all I think I’m looking forward to spending a bit more time with our lovely family.

3.15         Can I wish my successor Councillor Mo Marsh the very best for her year in office. The people you will meet as Mayor are all incredible amazing people. I have been asked what advice I might offer you, and my answer simply is “enjoy it” Mo, enjoy it and good luck.   Thank you.