Labour
Group Amendment
cost of
living – businesses and communities
That the relevant changes are made
to the recommendations as shown below in strikethrough and
bold
italics:
This council
notes:
- Rising costs and
inflation have negatively impacted businesses, third sector
organisations, and the public sector in the city [1][2] and
that in October, Council agreed to declare a cost-of-living
emergency and hold a cost-of-living emergency
summit
- 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]
- Small businesses are
more likely to be harder hit by these difficulties and need more
support, and that many may not be aware of the limited
support that is available to them
And further
recognises:
- 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
- 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:
- Recognise and thank
small businesses in Brighton & Hove for the positive impact
they have despite challenging circumstances, and to consider
increased communications with them on the support they can seek
(including grants, business rates relief, information and advice on
energy bills and limited government support such as the Covid
Recovery Loan Scheme), for example, with signposting on the council
website, social media channels and direct communications with
businesses
- 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
- Support the Local
Government Association ‘Save our Services’ campaign to
push the Government to secure adequate funding for local
authorities in line with inflation
.
- Include consideration of
funding within the budget-setting process for 2023-24 to make
support for small businesses a priority
Proposed by: Cllr Evans
Seconded by: Cllr Robins
Motion to read if
carried:
This council
notes:
- Rising costs and
inflation have negatively impacted businesses, third sector
organisations, and the public sector in the city [1][2] and that in
October, Council agreed to declare a cost-of-living emergency and
hold a cost-of-living emergency summit
- 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]
- Small businesses are
more likely to be harder hit by these difficulties and need more
support, and that many may not be aware of the limited support that
is available to them
And further
recognises:
- 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
- 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:
- Recognise and thank
small businesses in Brighton & Hove for the positive impact
they have despite challenging circumstances, and better communicate
with them on the support they can seek (including grants, business
rates relief, information and advice on energy bills and limited
government support such as the Covid Recovery Loan Scheme), with
signposting on the council website, social media channels and
direct communications with businesses
- 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
- Support the Local
Government Association ‘Save our Services’ campaign to
push the Government to secure adequate funding for local
authorities in line with inflation
- Identify funding within the
budget-setting process for 2023-24 to make support for small
businesses a priority