Council

Date of meeting 15 December 2022

Agenda Item 66

CONSERVATIVE Group Amendment

COST OF LIVING – BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES

That the relevant changes are made to the recommendations as shown below in strikethrough and bold italics:

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 financial mismanagement of this council, the costs and challenges of running businesses and organisations in the city are even greater, particularly due to labour shortages [3], particularly due to being the fifth most expensive council for parking in the UK, with traders’ permits costing approximately £800 per year.
3. Small businesses are more likely to be harder hit by these difficulties and need more support

And further recognises:

4. 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
5. 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:

6. 4.  Recognise and thank small businesses in Brighton & Hove for the positive impact they have despite challenging circumstances the council’s mismanagement.
7. Reaffirm 5.  Commit the Council to working 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
8. 6.  Apologise to small businesses for putting off visitors and residents alike due to astronomical parking charge increases creating a £1.4m blackhole; and for increasing council tax band D by 42.8% in the last 10 years designating our city ‘a high taxing council’. Support the Local Government Association ‘Save our Services’ campaign to push the Government to secure adequate funding for local authorities in line with inflation.

Proposed by: Cllr McNair                                                Seconded by: Cllr Nemeth

Recommendations to read if carried:

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 the financial mismanagement of this council, the costs and challenges of running businesses and organisations in the city are even greater, particularly due to being the fifth most expensive council for parking in the UK, with traders’ permits costing approximately £800 per year.
3. Small businesses are more likely to be harder hit by these difficulties and need more support.

Therefore, the Council resolves to:

4. Recognise and thank small businesses in Brighton & Hove for the positive impact they have despite the council’s mismanagement.
5. Commit the Council to working 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.
6. Apologise to small businesses for putting off visitors and residents alike due to astronomical parking charge increases creating a £1.4m blackhole; and for increasing council tax band D by 42.8% in the last 10 years designating our city ‘a high taxing council’.