This Council notes with grave concern that visitor numbers in Brighton & Hove dropped by more than 14% year on year in the first four month period of 2012/13

GREEN Group Amendment

Cost-of-living and Energy Crisis

That changes are made as shown below in bold italics and strikethrough.

Council notes with concern the Government’s:

a) Lacklustre response to the cost-of-living crisis it has helped create, particularly regarding rising energy costs;

b) Decision to lift the ban on fracking, identifying ~~the Jurassic Weald Basin as a~~ possible sites across the country despite scientists and economists warning that fracking will not ease the energy crisis or bring down utility bills but will imperil climate targets;

Therefore, Council resolves to:

1. Requests the Chief Executive writes to Government lobbying for real and urgent action on the rising costs of energy and a u-turn on the lifting of the ban on fracking;

· ~~The ban on fracking to be reinstated;~~

· ~~Adopting a Warm Homes Plan~~

· ~~Adopting plans to form a GB Energy Company;~~

· ~~Adopting plans for green growth and self-sufficient zero carbon power by 2030~~

2. Welcomes existing work, reported to P&R, Item 59, 6^th October 2022*, supporting residents with energy and fuel costs;

3. ~~Requests officers explore all avenues to obtain further support for residents warming homes this winter, including grant funding and best practices from other local authorities;~~ Welcomes existing work, reported to Housing Committee, on the expansion of the Warm Safe Homes Grant and further retrofit work

4. Welcomes the commitment made at P&R* to work with the community and voluntary sectors to explore establishing a network of ‘warm zones’, and as such, welcomes the newly formed WIAP (Winter Indoor Activities and Places Task and Finish Group). This is comprised of BHCC officers and members of the CVS, working as a collaborative, multi-agency group, and who will, amongst other things, be identifying and developing support for venues offering activities and space.

5. ~~Requests that officers consider~~ Recognises that P& R’s recommendation on 6^th October 2022 was to support the use of all council-owned public spaces, including libraries, schools and museums as ‘warm zones’, for those in need, ~~and that officers consider reaching out to private and public sector anchor institutions in the city to encourage them to contribute spaces to the ‘warm bank’ network;~~ subject to assessment, which was further outlined in appendix 2 of the report

6. Restates strong opposition to fracking and reiterates Brighton & Hove’s declaration of a frack-free zone, and requests officers consider working with neighbouring authorities and bodies** to resist any fracking in the region.

Proposed by: Cllr Allbrooke Seconded by: Cllr Mac Cafferty

Motion to read if carried:

Council notes with concern the Government’s:

a) Lacklustre response to the cost-of-living crisis it has helped create, particularly regarding rising energy costs;

b) Decision to lift the ban on fracking, identifying possible sites across the country despite scientists and economists warning that fracking will not ease the energy crisis or bring down utility bills but will imperil climate targets;

Therefore, Council resolves to:

1. Requests the Chief Executive writes to Government lobbying for real and urgent action on the rising costs of energy and a u-turn on the lifting of the ban on fracking;

2. Welcomes existing work, reported to P&R, Item 59, 6^th October 2022*, supporting residents with energy and fuel costs;

3. Welcomes existing work, reported to Housing Committee, on the expansion of the Warm Safe Homes Grant and further retrofit work

5. Recognises that P& R’s recommendation on 6^th October 2022 was to support the use of all council-owned public spaces, including libraries, schools and museums as ‘warm zones’, for those in need, subject to assessment, which was further outlined in appendix 2 of the report