NEW MAYORAL TEAM FOR SANDWELL
Sandwell has a new Mayoral team for the year ahead – with Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE as Mayor and Councillor Susan Eaves as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Haque, who has served the Tipton Green ward since 1996, has chosen his wife Surma to be Mayoress, while Rowley ward’s Councillor Eaves has her husband John as her consort.
They were inaugurated at a special ceremony at tonight’s annual meeting of the council, where a vote of thanks was also passed to retiring Mayor Councillor Julie Webb and Deputy Mayor Councillor Susan Downing.
Councillor Haque announced his two charities for the year will be:
• Midlands Air Ambulance Charity; and
• Your Trust Charity, run by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, specifically raising money for cancer services and research.
The Mayor is the first citizen of Sandwell.
While the role is non-political, the Mayor presides over meetings of the council.
The Mayoralty attends events across Sandwell and also represents the borough at functions outside Sandwell involving local residents or organisations. Councillor Haque said: “This is the proudest moment for me to be honoured with the position of the Mayor of Sandwell and I pledge to serve the residents of Sandwell with all sincerity." Amanda Winwood, Your Trust Charity membership academy manager, said: "We are thrilled to be one of the Mayor of Sandwell’s chosen charities this year and we look forward to working with him and enhancing the experience of all people using our services including staff, patients and their families." Adam Williams, fundraising manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in the West Midlands adds: "Midlands Air Ambulance Charity receives no government or National Lottery funding, so the support from the Mayor of Sandwell will help to raise vital funds." To find out how to donate to the Mayor's charities, contact the Mayor's Parlour on 0121 569 3041 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You can also follow the Mayor's charities on Twitter @MAA_Charity and @SWBHCharity and Facebook: www.facebook.com/MidlandsAirAmbulance www.facebook.com/SWBHnhs