Council Agenda Item 87
Subject: Support for Political Groups
Date of meeting: 1 February 2024
Proposer: Councillor Mark Earthey
Seconder: Councillor Bridget Fishleigh
Notice of Motion
Brighton & Hove Independents
This Council:
1. Notes its current financial difficulties and the sacrifices that are having to be made.
2. Notes that the cost of support for the three largest political groups from April 1st 2024 will be £194,900, spread evenly across the three Groups.
3. Notes that the Local Government and Housing Act requires the 3 largest political groups to be offered equal support if the membership of the group consists of at least 10% of the membership of the authority.
4. Notes that Councillors are able to organise their own meetings, write their own speeches and develop their own opinions on city-wide issues using their manifestos as a base.
5. Notes that if the groups wish to maintain the current levels of support then they could directly fund roles to be employed by political parties.
6. Notes that any changes which may have an impact on staffing are required to follow the Council’s policies, including the Council’s Organisation Change Management Framework.
Therefore, Council resolves to:
1. Request officers to consider including within the budget proposals the £194,900 savings that could be achieved through the cessation of BHCC financial support to political groups from April 1 2024, with budget reallocated to frontline services.