Council
Agenda Item 50
Subject: Building a Care System That Works
Date of meeting: 1 October 2026
Proposer: Councillor Raphael Hill
Seconder: Councillor Ellen McLeay
Notice of Motion
Green Group Amendment
That deletions
are made as shown with strikethrough below and additional
recommendations are added as shown in bold
italics below:
This Council Notes:
1) How we care for and support some of the most vulnerable people in our city is one of the most important responsibilities we have. Building a sustainable social care system is also one of the greatest long-term challenges facing local government[1], our NHS and public finances.
2) The commitment of our new Prime Minister to tackle the longstanding problems in social care, including accelerating the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, and seeking lasting reform through cross-party working.
3) The launch of the Big Conversation on Care, giving residents, carers, staff and providers an opportunity to help shape the future of adult social care.
4) That 5,328 people in our city relied on long-term Adult Social Care[2], to support their dignity and independence.
5) 13,900 older residents live alone, 38% compared to 31% nationally,[3] many without family support.
6) The government’s timeline for the creation of a National Care Service which promises it will introduce legislation for creating a National Care Service only until after the next General election in 2029. This leaves years of waiting and massive uncertainty for Councils struggling to finance adult social care and an unfair postcode lottery of provision throughout the country.
This Council Resolves to request the Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care to bring a report to the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny meeting to explore proposals for:
1) Promoting the Big Conversation on Care to residents, staff, carers, providers, trade unions and local partners, encouraging the fullest possible participation across the city.
2) Ensuring that the Council plays an active role in informing the national review, contributing our cities experience, evidence and expertise on social care.
3) Working constructively with political groups, neighbouring authorities, health partners, trade unions and other partners to support lasting reform built on broad consensus
4) Using our collective voice as a Council to lobby government to implement a National Care Service before the next parliament and in the meantime to provide funding to allow councils to meet their statutory responsibilities for adult social care provision.
Recommendations to read if carried:
This Council Notes:
1) How we care for and support some of the most vulnerable people in our city is one of the most important responsibilities we have. Building a sustainable social care system is also one of the greatest long-term challenges facing local government[4], our NHS and public finances.
2) The commitment of our new Prime Minister to tackle the longstanding problems in social care, including accelerating the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, and seeking lasting reform through cross-party working.
3) The launch of the Big Conversation on Care, giving residents, carers, staff and providers an opportunity to help shape the future of adult social care.
4) That 5,328 people in our city relied on long-term Adult Social Care[5], to support their dignity and independence.
5) 13,900 older residents live alone, 38% compared to 31% nationally,[6] many without family support.
6) The government’s timeline for the creation of a National Care Service which promises it will introduce legislation for creating a National Care Service only until after the next General election in 2029. This leaves years of waiting and massive uncertainty for Councils struggling to finance adult social care and an unfair postcode lottery of provision throughout the country.
This Council Resolves to request the Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care to bring a report to the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny meeting to explore proposals for:
1) Promoting the Big Conversation on Care to residents, staff, carers, providers, trade unions and local partners, encouraging the fullest possible participation across the city.
2) Ensuring that the Council plays an active role in informing the national review, contributing our cities experience, evidence and expertise on social care.
3) Working constructively with political groups, neighbouring authorities, health partners, trade unions and other partners to support lasting reform built on broad consensus
4) Using our collective voice as a Council to lobby government to implement a National Care Service before the next parliament an in the meantime to provide funding to allow councils to meet their statutory adult social care provision responsibilities.
[1] Brighton & Hove City Council, Council Budget 2026/27 – Adult Social Care budget: £203 million. Adult Social Care represents nearly 20% of all gross council expenditure https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-data-and-finance/council-budget-2026-2027/cost-our-services-2026-2027
[2] https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2026/recognising-and-celebrating-achievements-adult-social-care
[3] https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/support-age-well/age-and-dementia-survey-report-2024-2025#tab--brighton--hoves-older-population
[4] Brighton & Hove City Council, Council Budget 2026/27 – Adult Social Care budget: £203 million. Adult Social Care represents nearly 20% of all gross council expenditure https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-data-and-finance/council-budget-2026-2027/cost-our-services-2026-2027