Council                                                           Agenda Item 58

Subject:        Written questions from members of the public.

Date of meeting:     14 December 2023

A period of not more than fifteen minutes shall be allowed for questions submitted by a member of the public who either lives or works in the area of the authority at each ordinary meeting of the Council.

Every question shall be put and answered without discussion, but the person to whom a question has been put may decline to answer.  The person who asked the question may ask one relevant supplementary question, which shall be put and answered without discussion.

The following written questions have been received from members of the public.

1.         Question from: John Mills  

Why is no protection being offered, by The Council, for the school which has the highest percentage of pupils with a disability or the highest percentage of teachers with a disability?  Shouldn't the school be ringfenced, especially when a staff member has experienced ableism in a Brighton and Hove school previously? 

Councillor Taylor / Helliwell, Joint Chair(s) of Children, Families & Schools Committee will reply.

2.         Question from: Mo Marsh  

Would Cllr Taylor agree with me that the citywide declining school population, and budget restrictions presents the administration with huge challenges determining admissions policies which need to be addressed carefully and sensitively involving all stakeholders, including of course the increasing numbers of pupils with additional needs identified since Covid and ever diminishing resources 

Councillor Taylor / Helliwell, Joint Chair(s) of Children, Families & Schools Committee will reply.

3.         Question from: Christopher Hawtree 

Would Councillor Sankey please outline the steps by which this Authority envisages the use and implementation of Artificial Intelligence for the processing and supply of its public services? 

Councillor Sankey, Leader of the Council will reply.

4.         Question from: Laura King 

We are constantly told this Brighton and Hove City Council is short of money, yet the budget for 2023/24 is £895million. How is this not enough for the city's upkeep and goods and services delivery? 

Councillor Sankey, Leader of the Council will reply.

5.         Question from: Rohan Lowe  

What ideas are being look at on improving the current Hove Station footbridge as part of the neighbourhood plan so that it is more as accessible as possible for people with disabilities?  

Councillor Robins, Chair of Culture, Heritage, Sport, Tourism & Economic Development Committee will reply.

6.         Question from: Nigel Furness 

Since the construction of the i360 was enabled in 2014, our city now has an estimated debt of £51 million and rising. What are this Administration’s plans to mitigate and prevent further losses? 

Councillor Sankey, Leader of the Council will reply.