A long-serving senior town hall official retires today (Thursday 31 March) after 35 years of public service, earning tributes from across the political spectrum.
Mark Wall, 60, the head of democratic services at Brighton and Hove City Council, was described as “the face of public service at its best”.
One insider said that he was “Brighton’s Jackie Weaver” in reference to the official who ended up trying to keep order at a notoriously rowdy online parish council meeting last year.
Mr Wall himself said: “My role requires having the trust of all councillors, and being regarded as impartial, and able to ‘influence’ them as required to ensure that the democratic process can operate effectively.”
He joined the old Brighton Borough Council in 1986 and was promoted to his current post 19 years ago – in 2003.
Another colleague described him as “a quiet fixer”, adding: “He keeps the wheels turning for the cycle of meetings that are needed to ensure that decisions are made and recorded properly.”
The mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Alan Robins, said: “Mark has served under administrations of all political colours with integrity, impartiality and absolute dedication. He has been the face of public service at its best.
“Mark has been the keystone that holds the democratic decision-making machinery together in Brighton and Hove – and our democracy has been much richer for his work.
“The active political culture and vibrant public engagement in our city means it is always challenging for whoever is the head of democratic services. But Mark has done it with flair and absolute professionalism.
“At a personal level, he has supported me as mayor both in council meetings and in running the Mayor’s Office.
“I want to thank him for all his years of dedicated service to the council and wish him all the best in the future.”
When the mayor paid tribute, Mr Wall received a rare standing ovation at a meeting of the full council.
Mr Wall said that he had to be a “broker” and that this meant “having to manage expectations behind the scenes so that councillors can fulfil their roles and decisions can be taken appropriately”.
Brighton and Hove City Council is not unusual in having no party in overall control. It’s been a “hung council” for about 20 years – and that can add to the challenges facing officials.
But Mr Wall said that he enjoyed “working in a highly charged political environment” with the “ever changing make-up of the council”.
He said: “For me, it makes the role more interesting as the political picture changes regularly – and the dynamics of how the council operates.”
All the best Mark
Thank you for your service
I worked with him for almost twenty years. A dedicated, selfless and outstanding public servant. Happy retirement Mark and thank you.
Congratulations to my brother Mark – he thoroughly deserves all the plaudits paid to him. By the way he’s 60 not 59😆
Thanks Jo – and sorry. I’ve corrected my mistake.
There was a moment of confusion when an equally diligent Hove campaigner was called… Mark Wall.
When I was elected as a Brighton Borough councillor, Mark was a ‘young thing’. Hard to believe he’s now retiring. Thank you for all your years of dedicated service Mark. Enjoy your leisure.