Agenda item - Election of the Mayor of Brighton and Hove for the Municipal Year 2017/18

The Mayor will seek nominations for the new Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

4.1            The Mayor invited nominations for the position of Mayor of Brighton & Hove for the municipal year 2017/18.

4.2            Councillor Mo Marsh was proposed by Councillor Meadows and seconded by Councillor Morgan.

4.3            Councillors G. Theobald and Mac Cafferty supported the nomination of Councillor Marsh as Mayor for 2017/18 on behalf of the Conservative and Green Groups respectively.

4.4            The Mayor declared that, there being no other nominations, Councillor Mo Marsh be duly elected Mayor of Brighton & Hove for the forthcoming municipal year. 

4.5            The motion was agreed.

4.6            The Mayor then adjourned the meeting at 5.10pm in order for Councillor Marsh as the incoming Mayor to be robed and to take the Chair for the meeting.

4.7            Councillor Marsh reconvened the meeting at 5.15pm and then made and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor Marsh in the Chair

4.8            The Mayor then thanked the Council for her appointment and stated she wished to begin by thanking everyone for attending.  For a small person, this was a big moment, in fact you might say it’s my Mo-ment.  To be made Mayor of a city I’ve loved since I first set foot here is a genuine privilege and something I’m going to cherish.  Our communities give our city its’ distinct and unique personality; and it’s to them that I will dedicate my time and energy.

4.9            I’m always amazed and often surprised by the diversity of peoples that make Brighton and Hove what it is a vibrant, complex, contrary, fascinating and beautiful place.  As a city, we need more than ever, to harness the goodwill and generosity of our residents; there is no doubt that the hard times that challenge us are due to continue and though I will be scrupulously a-political during my year I intend to underline the point that its by working together and seeing the best in one another that will ensure our city has a better, brighter future.  To that end I’d like to acknowledge the council’s own staff whose tremendous work for our community often goes unsung.  They are doing a terrific job in taxing times and need our support. 

4.10         I want to extend my personal congratulations to Councillor Dee Simson, assuming we all agree shortly, whom I know will make an excellent Deputy Mayor and I’d like to thank Councillor Pete West and his family for acting as our first citizens over the last year.  I would also like to thank the residents of Moulsecoomb & Bevendean Ward for all their support and good wishes.  I will, of course, remain a committed ward councillor.

4.11         Finally I’d like to thank my Group and in particular my friend Councillor Meadows for proposing me and I’d especially like to acknowledge my friends and family for their love and thoughtfulness. For this honour to be bestowed on me this year is particularly pertinent as on Sunday, I will turn seventy; which feels quite the landmark and to have these two events happen in the same year is both amazing and Mo-mentous. 

4.12         Thank you all for your support and encouragement thus far, I hope to be able to recognise and repay that kindness during my year in office.