Sandwell’s first female Muslim mayor is given chain of command

Sandwell’s new mayor, Councilor Syeda Khatun, ward representative for Tipton Green, has served the borough for 25 years. She was dressed up for a meeting at Sandwell Council House.

She will be accompanied to civic events by her daughter Syeda Hasna, the new mayor.

Councilor Khatun said: “This is a great privilege and honor and my promise to everyone is that I will uphold this honor 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 represent everyone in Sandwell.

“I want to wish the leader, Councilor Kerrie Carmichael, her cabinet and all new and old councilors in the House, regardless of their political persuasion, well.

“I would also like to thank the Town Hall team for all their hard work over the past year.”

Councilor Steve Melia, ward representative for Great Barr with Yew Tree is the new Deputy Mayor of Sandwell. The deputy mayor is the sister of the Melia councilor, Val Thacker.

They replaced incumbent Councilor Bill Gavan and Deputy Mayor Councilor Elaine Giles, who have served for the past year.

During his year as mayor, Councilor Khatun, who was first elected in 1999, will raise money for children’s charity Acorns Trust and the Yemeni Community Association’s cancer awareness project, Let’s Talk Hope.