The Mayor

The Mayor is the first citizen of the Town, who acts as the civic head of the Town Council and, in their capacity as Chair of Council, chairs the Council meetings. The Mayor is the public face of the Council and attends the civic and community functions on behalf of the Council. As the First Citizen, the Mayor is a symbol of the authority of the Council and it is his or her duty to represent and promote the interests and welfare of the Town and all those who live, work and visit the Town. The Mayor gives recognition, appreciation and encouragement to all those groups and individuals who contribute to the life of the Town. The Mayor is elected amongst the councillors at the Annual Town Council Meeting in May each year and is assisted by a Deputy Mayor, who is also elected by the Council.

Chair of Council

As Chair of the Council, it is the Mayor's duty to uphold the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community and to efficiently carry out the business of the Council. As Chair of Council, the Mayor has the casting vote, in case of equality of votes at the council meetings. As per the Bradley Stoke Town Council Standing Orders, the Chair and Vice-Chair of Council are also ex-officio member of all committees of the Council and the Chair of Council acts as the line-manager for the Town Clerk, who is the chief officer of the Council.

Current Mayor/Chair of Council

Councillor Tony Griffiths

From the Annual Town Council Meeting of Bradley Stoke Town Council, I am humbled, grateful and delighted to be elected as your Mayor by the members of the Council for the ensuing year.

I have lived in Bradley Stoke for 13 years and have served on the Town Council for the last 9 years being elected in May 2011, re-elected in May 2015 and with an increased majority in May 2019.

From an Architectural technician background, served with the Royal Observer Corp with active service in the Far East. I have had two pubs and three restaurants in my family, with two still operating in Manchester. I have recently finished working as the Hospitality and Facilitators Manager where I have been employed for the last 10 years. I now find myself semi-retired as a Cyber Security Consultant with plenty of time on my hands to serve the residents of Bradley Stoke.

I am looking forward to my year in office and will continue to act and help the constituents of Bradley Stoke, acting as your Mayor.

This year is going to be a tough year where difficult decisions are being made, we already have cancelled some projects where in these unprecedented times Covid-19 has played a significant part in all our lives, locally, nationally and internationally. I am sure the effects of this global pandemic have been intense which has affected our emotions by knowing a friend or relative has been affected.

As a council we have cancelled many engagements which has an affect on our town, the next engagement will be the Firework Display in November which this year will be pet friendly with having its usual fantastic free display without the loud bangs, our free display has been voted nationally as one of the best free firework displays in the Country, please come along and enjoy the evening. It maybe possible to hold an event in the Spring and I would like suggestions from you whatever type of event you would like to see, maybe a return to Proms on the Green?

To keep the Town on an even budget we will be looking to make savings as opposed to cuts wherever we can. We do not wish to put the precept up so there will be some very difficult decisions for our council to make.

The Mayors Charities this year will be to continue to support the Great Western Air Ambulance which cost £3,000,000 per year to run, this equates to £8219 per day with no other funding other than charitable donations. Secondly, I would like to support Next Link a Domestic Abuse Charity close to my family’s heart.

Finally, I wish to support and provide local initiatives and organisations to which you may call on me to attend any function you plan to which I am here to serve you for that purpose. Please ‘Stay Safe’ hoping that you may enjoy the summer and year ahead.

Kind regards
Cllr. Tony Griffiths
Mayor Bradley Stoke Town Council

Invite the Mayor

The Mayor frequently visits a wide variety of different events within the community, from school visits, charity programmes, coffee mornings to formal dinners and ceremonies. Please feel free to invite the Mayor to take part in your event, such as a competition, presenting prizes or certificates, drawing a raffle, making an opening or closing speech or welcome a dignitary or to attend various anniversaries and other functions.

If you are interested in inviting the Mayor to your event, please complete and return the Invitation Form (Word). Please enclose the essential details of the event such as what the event is, the date and time, the venue address and the Mayor's involvement. You can also email your request, telephone or write to us. On receipt, we will contact you in due course to confirm whether the Mayor is available. If for any reason the Mayor is unable to attend, your invitation will be passed to the Deputy Mayor if deemed appropriate.

Past Mayors/Chairs of Bradley Stoke

---

The Mayor attending a Remembrance Service at Christ the King Church

The Mayor and Bradley Stoke in Bloom Best Front Garden Competition winners 2020

The Mayor, Willow Brook Centre Manager and Young People open the Happiness Snake Trail at the Willow Brook Centre