Council  

Subject:                  Cost of Living – Business and Communities

 

Date of meeting:    15 December 2022

 

 

Agenda Item 66

 

 

                                   

 


 

Proposer:                 Councillor Osborne          

Seconder:                Councillor Hugh-Jones

 

Ward(s) affected:   All

 

 

Notice of Motion

 

Green Group

 

 

This council notes:

 

  1. Rising costs and inflation have negatively impacted businesses, third sector organisations, and the public sector in the city [1][2]
  2. That after Brexit and the continuing covid-19 pandemic, the costs and challenges of running businesses and organisations in the city are even greater, particularly due to labour shortages [3]
  3. Small businesses are more likely to be harder hit by these difficulties and need more support

 

And further recognises:

  1. Recent lobbying letters agreed at the Policy & Resources Committee in October which outlines the need for support for SMEs in Brighton & Hove from Government including calling for the reduction of tourism VAT to 5% and dedicated businesses grant support
  2. The local #GiveItBack campaign which marks an act of solidarity, for the first time in the city, demanding a reversal of cuts to local services and local government worker pay. [4]

 

Therefore, the Council resolves to:

 

  1. Recognise and thank small businesses in Brighton & Hove for the positive impact they have despite challenging circumstances.
  2. Reaffirm the Council commitment to work closely with businesses directly, alongside the Chamber of Commerce and other business networking organisations and Community Works, to identify any issues businesses and organisations are facing
  3. Support the Local Government Association ‘Save our Services’ campaign to push the Government to secure adequate funding for local authorities in line with inflation.

Supporting Information:

 

[1] Cost-of-living crisis: more than half of charities worried about survival - UK Fundraising

[2] Almost 500,000 UK small businesses ‘at risk of going bust within weeks’ | Small business | The Guardian

[3]Exclusive: Most UK businesses see no benefit in post-Brexit deregulation - New Statesman

[4] #GIVEITBACK Brighton & Hove Campaign — Brighton and Hove Unison