Council Agenda Item 55a(1)

Subject: Petition for Debate 

Date of meeting: 18 December 2025

Report of: Director of Governance & Law 

Contact Officer: Name: Anthony Soyinka

Tel: 01273 291006

Email: anthony.soyinka@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward(s) affected: All 

FOR GENERAL RELEASE

1.         SUMMARY AND POLICY CONTEXT:

1.1 Under the Council’s Petition Scheme if a petition contains more than 1,250 signatures and is not petition requesting officer evidence, it will be debated by the Full Council.

2.         RECOMMENDATIONS:

2.1 That the petition is noted.

3.        RELEVANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION / CHRONOLOGY OF KEY EVENTS:

3.1      To receive the following petition:

Investigate the possibility of free public transport for young people in Brighton and Hove

We call on the council to investigate the possibility of free public transport for young people in Brighton and Hove. This change would benefit young people, promote youth engagement and boost accessibility in different areas of the city. Free public transport for young people in the city would cause higher bus usage, which would take more cars off the road, therefore reducing the city’s carbon emissions. 

4.         PROCEDURE:

4.1 The petition will be debated at the Council meeting in accordance with the agreed protocol:

(i) The Lead petitioner will be invited by the Mayor to present the petition and will have up to 3 minutes in which to outline the petition and confirm the number of signatures;

(ii) The Mayor will then open the matter up for debate by councillors for period of 15 minutes and will first call on the relevant Cabinet Member to respond to the petition and move a proposed response. The Mayor will then call on those councillors who have indicated a desire to speak in the matter, before calling on the relevant Cabinet Member to respond to the debate;

(iii) An amendment to the recommendation in paragraph 2.1 of the report or to add additional recommendations should be submitted by 10.00am on the day before the meeting; otherwise it will be subject to the Mayor’s discretion as to being appropriate.  Any such amendment will need to be formally moved and seconded at the meeting;

(iv) After the 15 minutes set aside for the debate, the Mayor will then formally put:

(v) (a) Any amendments in the order in which they are moved, and

(b) The substantive recommendation(s) as amended (if amended).