Date of meeting: 29 January 2026
Proposer: Cllr Goldsmith
Seconder: Cllr Lademacher
Ward(s) affected: All
Notice of Motion
Green Group Amendment
This Council notes:
1) That locally, nationally and internationally, co-operative housing schemes provide sustainable, genuinely affordable housing solutions that can help towards easing the homeless crisis as well as creating vibrant and cohesive communities.
2) That Brighton & Hove is home to a number of successful housing co-operative schemes, including Two Piers, Bunker Housing, Rosa Bridge and Seasalt.
3) That such schemes have historically been seen as a small scale, somewhat ‘niche’ form of housing in the UK, whereas in Zurich for example, 20% of all residents live in a co-op, and co-operative developments also include shops, nurseries, hotels, restaurants and workspaces.
4) That the current Government is working with the Confederation of Co-operative Housing and other sector stakeholders to legislate for a co-operative form of tenure putting such tenants on the same footing as other social housing tenants; amending the Localism Act to provide more support; and provide access to low-cost capital finance for co-operative organisations currently priced out of the market.
5) That the council is currently disposing of a significant number of assets, some of which may be suitable for co-operative housing
This Council Resolves to:
1) Request that Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee considers setting up a Task & Finish Group to make recommendations on how BHCC can:
a. Actively raise the profile of and seek to grow the co-operative housing sector through promoting the benefits to residents and through City Plan.
b. Engage with other councils regarding best practise and government regarding the legislative picture.
c. Develop a practical strategy to remove barriers and facilitate new affordable, community-led co-ops in the city.
2) Requests that any current or future council-owned buildings due to be disposed of are assessed for their suitability to become co-operative housing and, where they are, work with local groups to help enact this where possible
Recommendations to read if carried:
This Council notes:
1) That locally, nationally and internationally, co-operative housing schemes provide sustainable, genuinely affordable housing solutions that can help towards easing the homeless crisis as well as creating vibrant and cohesive communities.
2) That Brighton & Hove is home to a number of successful housing co-operative schemes, including Two Piers, Bunker Housing, Rosa Bridge and Seasalt.
3) That such schemes have historically been seen as a small scale, somewhat ‘niche’ form of housing in the UK, whereas in Zurich for example, 20% of all residents live in a co-op, and co-operative developments also include shops, nurseries, hotels, restaurants and workspaces.
4) That the current Government is working with the Confederation of Co-operative Housing and other sector stakeholders to legislate for a co-operative form of tenure putting such tenants on the same footing as other social housing tenants; amending the Localism Act to provide more support; and provide access to low-cost capital finance for co-operative organisations currently priced out of the market.
5) That the council is currently disposing of a significant number of assets, some of which may be suitable for co-operative housing
This Council Resolves to:
1) Request that Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee considers setting up a Task & Finish Group to make recommendations on how BHCC can:
a. Actively raise the profile of and seek to grow the co-operative housing sector through promoting the benefits to residents and through City Plan.
b. Engage with other councils regarding best practise and government regarding the legislative picture.
c. Develop a practical strategy to remove barriers and facilitate new affordable, community-led co-ops in the city.
2) Requests that any current or future council-owned buildings due to be disposed of are assessed for their suitability to become co-operative housing and, where they are, work with local groups to help enact this where possible