Councillor Syeda Khatun MBE (Tipton Green ward) is the new Mayor of Sandwell following a ceremony in the Council Chamber at Sandwell Council House today (Tuesday 21 May).
Her Mayoress is her daughter Syeda Hasna.
Councillor Steve Melia (Great Barr with Yew Tree ward) is the new Deputy Mayor of Sandwell. The Deputy Mayoress is Councillor Melia’s sister, Val Thacker.
At the ceremony, votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing Mayor Councillor Bill Gavan MBE and Deputy Mayor Councillor Elaine Giles.
Councillor Khatun, who has been a councillor for 25 years, having been first elected in 1999, confirmed that the local charities she will be raising money for are Acorns and Yemeni Community Association’s Let’s Talk Hope project.
Acorns offers a network of palliative care and support to life-limited and life-threatened children and their families.
YCA Let’s Talk Hope actively raises awareness, offers guidance and extends support to anyone impacted by cancer, engaging with community and various faith groups to destigmatise discussions around cancer.
On becoming Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Khatun said: “This is a great privilege and honour and my promise to all is that I will uphold this honour and make Sandwell proud.
“I am Sandwell's first female Muslim mayor which helps to reflect our diverse population in the borough and I feel very proud to be representing everyone in Sandwell.
"I want to wish every success to the Leader, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, her cabinet and all councillors new and old across the chamber whatever their political allegiance.
"I would also like to thank the outgoing mayoral team for all their hard work over the last year.”
The Mayor is the first citizen of Sandwell. While the role is non-political, the Mayor presides over meetings of the council. The Mayor attends events across Sandwell and also represents the borough at functions outside Sandwell involving local residents and organisations.
Email mayors_parlour@sandwell.gov.uk for details on how to invite the Mayor to an event or how to make a donation to the Mayor’s charities.