Brighton and Hove councillors hold minute’s silence for Woolwich murder victim

A minute’s silence was held at the annual meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council as a mark of respect for Lee Rigby, who was murdered in Woolwich yesterday (Wednesday 22 May).

Drummer Rigby, a 25-year-old fusilier and father of a young son, was killed in a savage attack near Woolwich Barracks in London.

The outgoing Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Bill Randall, said at the start of the meeting: “I’d like to ask you all to stand for a minute’s silence for the man who was killed in the street in Woolwich yesterday and all those who died in conflict during the past year.”

Councillor Randall, the first Green mayor of the city, is due to become deputy mayor for the coming year.

The new mayor is Councillor Denise Cobb, a Conservative, who will put party politics aside for the coming year as the city’s first citizen and civic figurehead.

Councillor Randall thanked all those who keep the mayoral show on the road and paid particular praise to the many volunteers who help make the city such a wonderful place to live.

He was praised by former Conservative council leader Councillor Mary Mears as she proposed Councillor Cobb as his replacement.

Councillor Cobb named five mayoral charities for the coming year: Brighton and Hove Age UK, the Argus Appeal, Off The Fence, the Martlets and Rockinghorse.