Since winning an extra council seat at the Brunswick & Adelaide by-election in Hove on 4 July, Green councillors have been due to receive an extra seat on the council’s committees.

Despite multiple attempts to meet with the Labour administration and discuss where this allocation should be, Greens were told yesterday (19 September) that their new seat will be on the non-political Licensing Committee, rather than the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) which helps to oversee the wider performance of the Council.

Greens claim the move is a politically-motivated one, designed to avoid proper scrutiny from the official opposition to the Labour administration.

Currently, Greens have just one seat on the Place OSC – having a second would give them enough councillors to put forward Notices of Motion and propose amendments to items on the agenda, giving them a louder voice and more opportunities to drive the Committee’s agenda.

Earlier this year, Labour changed the council’s governance system from Committee to Cabinet, putting decision-making powers in the hands of 10 Labour Cabinet Members despite making no reference to this in their local election manifesto.

As part of this process, two ‘Overview and Scrutiny’ Committees – ‘Place’ and ‘People’ – were created to scrutinise Cabinet Member decisions.

Steve Davis, Leader of Green Group said: “This is a clear attempt by the Labour administration to stifle democracy and shut out opposition voices. Their switch to the less democratic Cabinet system earlier this year had no mandate from residents, and now they are trying to avoid proper scrutiny by blocking opposition members from the very committees that are supposed to keep the administration in check.”

“It’s more obvious than ever that Brighton & Hove Labour reflect the increasingly authoritarian nature of their national party and are not remotely interested in proper debate and scrutiny. Despite what [Labour council leader] Cllr Sankey may think, people in this city who didn’t vote Labour still deserve their voices to be heard, and to be properly represented within this council.”

Notes

One of Labour’s own councillors, Joy Robinson, is currently under investigation after appearing to brag about Greens having “no voice” in the council, in a now-deleted tweet: https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/09/18/here-are-the-reasons-for-the-latest-complaints-about-councillors/

Seats on committees are allocated based on the number of councillors of a political party. Prior to the by-election on the 4 July, Greens were allocated eight out of the total 63 seats – their win at the by-election increased that number to nine.

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17 September 2024 – Brighton & Hove Green councillors are proposing that Brighton & Hove City Council should award the prestigious Freedom of the City to Brighton Table Tennis Club (BTTC), in recognition of the incredible work they do in the city and their outstanding achievements at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Brighton Table Tennis Club has long been a beacon of excellence and inclusivity in our community, creating a space where people from all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can come together and discover a love for table tennis.

The recent triumphs of Bly Twomey and Will Bayley, who together brought home multiple medals in Paris, have been an immense source of pride for the city and speaks to the incredible work that Brighton and Hove Table Tennis club have done over the past 17 years.

The Freedom of the City is one of the highest honours that Brighton & Hove can bestow; it is reserved for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the community.

Brighton Table Tennis Club has not only excelled in their sport but has also played a vital role in promoting physical activity, mental well-being, and social cohesion within the city.

Greens are calling for these proposals to be put before councillors at the next meeting of Full Council on 24 October.

Councillor Pete West, Shadow Cabinet Member for Sports and Recreation, said: “The achievements of the Brighton Table Tennis Club at the Paris 2024 Paralympics are nothing short of extraordinary. Their dedication to the sport and their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all players, regardless of background and ability, is truly inspiring. We believe that awarding them the Freedom of the City is a fitting tribute to their hard work and success.”

Table tennis player pic: www.freepik.com

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