Council
Agenda Item 83
Subject: Decisions on Executive Functions taken under Special Urgency Procedures
Date of meeting: 29 January 2026
Report of: Chief Executive
Contact Officer: Name: Anthony Soyinka
Tel: 01273 291 006
Email: Anthony.soyinka@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: All
1.1 This report notifies the Council of decisions taken under special urgency procedure rules in accordance with the provisions of Part 3E, Section 17 of the Councils Constitution.
2.1 None – For Information Only
3.1 In accordance with the Access to Information Procedure Rules (Rule 18), Part 3E of the Council’s constitution and paragraph 19 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the use of the Special Urgency procedure in relation to Executive decisions is to be reported quarterly to Council for information.
4.1 Since the last report to Council, four decisions have been taken using the Special Urgency procedure. The reports and subsequent decisions were published on the Council’s website in accordance with the Council’s Executive Procedure Rules. The decision to use the special urgency rules in accordance with Part 3E, Section 17 of the Councils Access to Information rules was made by the Chair of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panel(s). Decisions taken under this provision are exempted from Call-In.
The decision(s) taken are set out below for information.
4.1.1 Title: Use of Housing Revenue Account voids as Temporary Accommodation: 14 January 2026
Decision:
1) The Leader agreed to the interim use of all Housing Revenue Account voids as Temporary Accommodation between 19 January 2026 and 1 May 2026.
2) The Leader agreed to adopt the draft policy on the use of Housing Revenue Account Void Properties as Temporary Accommodation as set out in Appendix 1.
3) The Leader delegated authority to Corporate Director for Homes & Adult Social Care to take all necessary steps to implement the policy as set out in Appendix 1.
4) The Leader delegated authority to Corporate Director for Homes & Adult Social Care to begin consultation on the policy as set out in Appendix 1, which will inform a review of the policy at the conclusion of the interim position and will inform any further report to Cabinet seeking possible extension or changes to the interim period or policy, for a limited duration.
Reasons for Urgency:
The reasons for urgency as set out in the report were:
Due to the special circumstances outlined below, and in accordance with
Regulation 10 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, compliance with the requirement to provide 28 days’ notice has not been possible. The urgency of the matter has been agreed upon by the Chair of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny, and it is deemed necessary to consider this item without delay, due to the urgent need to address significant financial pressures on the council and to address the challenges households are facing under the current arrangements.
4.1.2 Title: Direct Award of Contracts to Temporary Accommodation Provider: 31 December 2025
Decision:
1) That the Leader of the Council agrees to award a contract to Base One for the provision of Temporary Accommodation on the terms as set out in this report.
2) That the Leader of the Council delegates authority to Corporate Director – Homes & Adult Social Care to finalise contract terms and enter into the contract with Base One together with all ancillary legal documentation.
Reasons for Urgency:
The reasons for urgency as set out in the report were:
Due to the special circumstances outlined below, and in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, compliance with the requirement to provide 28 days’ notice has not been possible. The urgency of the matter has been agreed upon by the Chair of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny, and it is deemed necessary to consider this item without delay, due to the urgency to award a contract to help ensure the financial sustainability of the council.
4.1.3 Title: Community Equipment Service Contract: 4 August 2025
Decision:
1) That the Leader of the Council grants delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Homes and Adult Social Care to take all necessary steps to directly award a call off- contract to Millbrook from an existing framework (being the Integrated Community Care Equipment and Associated Services Y24008, under Lot 1 – Integrated Community Care Equipment and Associated Services) for a three (3) year period at an estimated value of up to £11m.
Reasons for Urgency:
The reasons for urgency as set out in the report were:
To ensure continuity of this critical service, an urgent contract award is required.
4.1.4 Title: Brighton i360 - Decision on Future
Brighton & Hove City Council - Decision - Brighton i360 - Decision on Future
Decision:
1) Cabinet agrees to release the security on its £51m loan debt and rolled-up interest to the Buyer. In return, the city council will receive a future share of revenue, as set out in the Part 2 report.
2) Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director for Operations, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and City Regeneration, to complete negotiations and any legal documentation required to give effect to recommendation 2.1 above.
3) Cabinet agrees to commission an external independent investigation to understand the circumstances of and lessons from the council’s original decision to loan public money to deliver the Brighton i360.
Reasons for Urgency:
The reasons for urgency as set out in the report were:
The closing date for bids was 13th January 2024 and discussions with Interpath and the Buyer continued beyond the report publication date. Interpath need to complete the sale before January 31st and the sale cannot happen without the release of the council’s security on the loan
5.1 This report is for information only. The decisions have been made and implemented. The decisions made pursuant to the urgency delegation are required to be reported to Council.
6.1 None for the purpose of this report.
7.1 There are no resource implications of this report, which is for information. The resource implications of each particular decision are set out in the respective decision reports.
Finance Officer: Ishemupenyu Chagonda
Date: 21/01/2026
8.1 There are no legal implications of this report. The legal implications in respect of each decision are set out in the decision reports. The Council’s Constitution requires Cabinet decisions taken under Special Urgency provisions to be reported back to Council for information.
Lawyer: Elizabeth Culbert
Date: 21/01/2026
9.1 None for the purpose of this report.
10.1 None for the purpose of this report.
11.1 This document reports to Council the urgent decisions taken by Cabinet and the Leader. The report is presented to Council for information.
Supporting Documentation
Brighton & Hove City Council - Decision - Brighton i360 - Decision on Future