Council - 18 Dec 2025 4.30pm
Venue
Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall
Contact officer
Anthony Soyinka
Agenda
Minutes
not published
Agenda
22 items · parsed from the minutes| Item | Title and summary | Outcome |
| 32 |
Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were made in relation to agenda business.
|
noted |
| 33 |
Minutes
The minutes of the special Council meeting held on 24 September 2025 were approved and signed by the Mayor.
|
approved |
| 34 |
Mayor's Communications
The Mayor reported civic, charity, armed-forces and community activities, including Brighton & Hove City Council receiving a Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The Mayor also highlighted support for Allsorts, Pelican Parcels, Lunch Positive and other local initiatives.
|
noted |
| 34a |
Leader and Portfolio Holder's Announcements
The Leader addressed hate crime, Black History Month, devolution, regeneration, housing, food waste collection and employment initiatives. Announcements included proposed local-government reorganisation and investment plans for Sussex and Brighton.
|
noted |
| 35 |
Petitions and E-Petitions
Council received petitions concerning parking in Elms Lea Avenue, busking, Rottingdean Library and public ownership of Southern Water. Cabinet Members provided responses and indicated further review, consultation or advocacy where applicable.
|
noted |
| 36 |
Written Questions from Members of the Public
Council answered nine public questions on plant-based policy, air quality, recycling, concessionary bus passes, cricket nets, King Alfred, event-land reinstatement and drainage. Responses committed to further engagement, investigation and planned service activity.
|
noted |
| 37 |
Deputations from Members of the Public
Council received deputations on microplastics from artificial pitches, antisemitism, devolution and green-space access. The deputations were formally noted.
|
noted |
| 37a |
Petition for Debate - Save the Floral Clock
Council debated a 1,969-signature petition seeking to retain or replace the Floral Clock at Palmeira Square. The administration said it would consult on affordable and sustainable future options for the site.
|
noted |
| 38 |
Call Over for Reports of Committees
Items 42 to 45 were reserved for discussion. Items 41 and 46 were approved and adopted without discussion.
|
approved |
| 39 |
Written Questions from Councillors
Council received written responses to councillor questions covering filming, homelessness, unauthorised flags, recycling, housing, highways, empty homes, parking, public transport and environmental enforcement.
|
noted |
| 40 |
Oral Questions from Councillors
Councillors questioned Cabinet Members on Norton Road car park, King Alfred Leisure Centre, temporary accommodation, planning, libraries, carbon reduction, devolution costs and the Floral Clock. Cabinet Members provided policy and operational updates.
|
noted |
| 41 |
Review of Political Balance October 2025
Council appointed and reappointed committees with the sizes and political-group seat allocations set out in Appendix 1.
|
approved |
| 42 |
Review of the Council's Constitution
Council rejected a Green Group amendment and approved constitutional changes concerning task-and-finish groups, time for public questions at Overview & Scrutiny, extraordinary Council meetings and notice for written member questions.
|
approved |
| 43 |
Council Plan Refresh
Council approved the refreshed Council Plan and noted achievements since adoption in July 2023, 2024/25 delivery progress, and the Corporate Peer Challenge recommendations and response.
|
approved |
| 44 |
Devolution for Sussex & Brighton
Council endorsed the Cabinet report and recommendations concerning devolution for Sussex and Brighton. The recommendations were carried following a recorded vote.
|
approved |
| 45 |
Partial Review of Polling District and Polling Places 2025
Council approved the revised polling district and polling place schemes, delegated implementation powers to the Director Governance and Law, and authorised the Returning Officer to designate alternative polling places when required.
|
approved |
| 46 |
West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan - Decision Statement
Council approved publication of the Decision Statement, modified the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan in line with the independent examiner's recommendations, and agreed to proceed to a local referendum.
|
approved |
| 46a |
Protect Independent Scrutiny, Save Healthwatch England
Council approved an amended motion seeking stronger democratic accountability within future strategic health arrangements and a common approach to maintaining local oversight and user voice.
|
approved |
| 46b |
Gaza and Council Financial Exposure
Council approved an amended motion requesting a Cabinet report on exposure of the East Sussex Pension Fund, treasury management and council freehold landholdings to involved companies, and notifying other relevant local authorities.
|
approved |
| 46c |
Enforcing Covenant on Land in West Saltdean
Council approved a motion requesting an officer report to Cabinet on the process, timescale and costs of invoking Clause 4 of the covenant for plots 2 and 3 of The Mount Estate.
|
approved |
| 46d |
Inequality and Life Outcomes in Brighton & Hove
Council rejected a Green Group amendment and approved a motion requesting consideration of a formal review of inequality and its effects on life chances, including evidence from residents and experts.
|
approved |
| 46e |
King Alfred Leisure Centre
Council debated a Conservative Group motion concerning the King Alfred Leisure Centre. The motion was lost.
|
deferred |
Decisions recorded here
0 linked to this meeting| Decision | Status | Flags |
| No decisions are linked to this meeting. Portals often publish decisions separately from the meeting they were taken at. | ||
Key decisions
parsed from the minutes- Council approved constitutional changes relating to Overview & Scrutiny, extraordinary Council meetings and written member questions.
- Council approved the refreshed Council Plan.
- Council endorsed the Cabinet recommendations on devolution for Sussex and Brighton by 30 votes to 9, with 5 abstentions.
- Council approved revised polling district and polling place schemes.
- Council approved the modified West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan proceeding to a local referendum.
- Council approved motions on Healthwatch scrutiny, Gaza-related financial exposure, enforcing the West Saltdean land covenant and reviewing inequality.