Councillors Blog
30th January 2018 by hannahclare
Ed Baker lives in East Brighton and is the Green candidate in the upcoming East Brighton by-election on 8th February. On 27th December Lloyd Russell-Moyle resigned his council seat representing East Brighton. With the election date set for 8th February, the four main party candidates are on the campaign trail. I’m very proud to have […]
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Brighton and Hove City Council has become the first to support a Green proposal for a public say on the terms of any Brexit deal (a so-called ‘Ratification referendum’). Green Councillor Leo Littman questions whether a ‘hard Brexit’ really is ‘the will of the people.’ — Who said: “In a 52-48 Referendum this would be […]
25th January 2018 by hannahclare
Controversial new arrangements for the Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust have been voted through by the Labour Council despite staff concerns. (See report, below). Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, convenor of the Green Group of Councillors, commented: “As far back as 2015 Greens raised that transferring staff from the Royal Pavilion and Museums into a […]
10th January 2018 by hannahclare
Greens have welcomed news that the secondary school catchment areas for the city will remain unchanged, following months of lobbying from local parents and students concerned about the negative impact of new proposals. Local Green Councillors have slammed the Labour Council for failing to adequately manage a ‘chaotic’ schools allocations process, after proposals to change […]
19th December 2017 by hannahclare
Councillors Alex Phillips and Amanda Knight comment on the issue of violence against women and girls following a march in aid of local domestic abuse charity, RISE, this month Councillor Alex Phillips Domestic and sexual violence has never in my memory received so much media attention, with waves of recognition such as the #metoo campaign […]
22nd November 2017 by hannahclare
Brighton and Hove’s Labour Council leadership have now published the blueprint for the city’s budget (Policy, Resources and Growth Committee papers, available here: P&R Papers). Green Councillors have reacted to the announcements, raising concerns about the number of services and members of staff facing damaging cuts. The Green Group Finance Lead, Councillor Ollie Sykes commented: […]
17th November 2017 by hannahclare
It is bizarre at best – and cruel at worst – that councils can borrow to build a swimming pool or a hotel, but not for desperately-needed homes, writes Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty on the upcoming Autumn budget November 22nd is the Autumn Statement. It is vital that the Government takes this opportunity to deal […]
Greens propose new sustainability criteria for city events, but Labour Councillors vote down proposals and idea to improve funding for parks and open spaces Labour Councillors have rejected Green proposals for a fairer fee structure for events coming to the city that would have improved funding for our parks and open spaces. Speaking at a […]
The illogical practice of Councils investing in fossil fuel companies must stop now, writes Brighton and Hove Green Party Councillor Louisa Greenbaum Divestment from fossil fuels is a powerful and important step towards halting climate change and yet in the two years since the Paris Accord, the percentage of funds invested by Local Authorities in […]
24th October 2017 by hannahclare
Greens urge Council to ‘go plastic free’ and encourage traders, residents and businesses to do the same in a bid to reduce damage plastic waste causes the environment and public health The Green Group of Councillors and local campaigners [quoted below] are calling on the Council to take serious action on plastic waste in Brighton […]
13th September 2017 by hannahclare
News that cardboard meant for recycling may have instead been sent to the incinerator by the company in charge, Veolia, is scandalous if true.
12th September 2017 by hannahclare
Councillor Alex Phillips, Green spokesperson for Children, Young People and Skills Committee has commented on the state of school places for young people in Brighton and Hove: “Whilst we recognise that catchment area plans are often difficult to resolve, families are continuing to pay the price for the Labour Council’s lack of leadership over plans […]
11th August 2017 by hannahclare
The Green group have condemned the Labour Council for continuing to make cuts to the city’s youth service despite a city-wide campaign to save it that saw the budget for the work largely restored in February. Councillor Alex Phillips, spokesperson for Children, Young People and Skills has called for greater transparency as information about recent […]
4th August 2017 by hannahclare
This weekend tens of thousands will take to the city’s streets celebrating our LGBT community. Our special city which has provided refuge for thousands of LGBT people will remind the world of our values of hope and solidarity. The Green Party has been a longstanding advocate of LGBT rights and this weekend we will, once […]
2nd August 2017 by hannahclare
Our arguments against a cabinet system remain the same now as they were in October 2015 (see article below: ‘Let’s keep our democratic system,’ Brighton and Hove Independent, first published 2015). Without scrutiny from other parties the Labour leadership would have had no qualms in selling off Hove Library, flogging off our precious Downland and […]
16th June 2017 by hannahclare
Green Group of Councillors Brighton & Hove City Council GRENFELL- OUR QUESTIONS 16th June 2017 For immediate release Convenor of the Green Group of Councillors, Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Seeing the heart breaking scenes in West London, we are asking 12 questions of the Executive Director Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing, Larissa Reid and the […]
4th April 2017 by hannahclare
Greens urge Council action to tackle air pollution in Brighton and Hove
31st March 2017 by hannahclare
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty Greens have major concerns about the introduction of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). They are a blunt and ineffective instrument to deal with anti-social behaviour. Many of the areas currently affected such as St Nicholas Churchyard and Brunswick Square are not even covered by PSPOs. We already have many powers to […]
The triggering of Article 50 will put Brighton and Hove and the country into a state of uncertainty. The Conservative government is pursuing an extreme exit from the European Union with no assurances on the environment, workers’ rights or, as the so-called ‘party of business’, even trade. Brighton and Hove City council now faces a […]
24th February 2017 by hannahclare
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty This is a horrendous time for the city council’s funding. Figures from the Local Government Association tell us that almost 80% of councils the length and breadth of the country will struggle to make ends meet. Conservative government cuts are perpetuating inequality in our communities in Brighton and Hove. LGBT […]
23rd February 2017 by hannahclare
Throughout the last number of weeks, the Green Group has examined the Labour budget proposals. Through a combination of reasonable charge increases, spend to save measures and a focus on prevention; we sought to reverse some of the most toxic proposals in the budget. Our group is allowed to submit amendments to Labour’s budget, […]
15th February 2017 by hannahclare
by Councillor Leo Littman When elected as a Councillor, I signed up to the seven principles of public life (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life–2) These include accountability and openness. Sadly, private companies which run many of our vital public services; from NHS contracts to railway franchises, are not obliged to make the same commitments. Often, the public have to […]
8th December 2016 by hannahclare
Earlier today, following our amendment that was submitted to Policy and Resources Committee, we have successfully called for a halt to the fast-moving sales of parcels of land in the Downland Estate. We put forward both a letter, setting out clearly why the Downland must be protected, but also two concrete proposals which, supported by […]
30th November 2016 by hannahclare
The cuts to youth services in Brighton and Hove just announced will mean the end of the local authority youth service