Agenda item - Family Based Policies

Proposed by Councillor McNair on behalf of the Conservative Group.

36.1    The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor McNair on behalf of the Conservative Group and formally seconded by Councillor Meadows.

36.2    The Mayor noted that there was an amendment in relation to this motion as set out in the addendum papers.

36.3    Councillor Nann moved the amendment on behalf of the Labour Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Miller.

36.4    Councillors Hill and Earthey spoke on the matter.

36.5    Councillor McNair confirmed that they would accept the amendment.

36.6    The Mayor then put the motion as amended to the vote and confirmed that the motion had been carried.

36.7    RESOLVED:

This Council:

1.   Notes that the Administration has taken the necessary action to protect school numbers through reducing admissions numbers and closing two schools.

2.   Notes that there has been a 22% drop in children aged 0-4 living in the city between the 2011 and 2021 censuses.

3.   Further notes that Brighton & Hove’s population profile had fewer children & young people aged 0 to 19 (20.5%) compared to the South East (23.1%) and Englan d (23.1%).

4.   Calls on the Government to assist the council through increasing funding, enabling the council to facilitate:

·        Development of affordable family sized houses rather than flats

·        Improving infrastructure, including NHS services and GPs, that is needed alongside new developments for both new and existing residents

·        Improving leisure facilities and parks

·        An end to making councils compete for small pots of money

This council therefore resolves to:

1.   Request officers to bring a report to the next Childrens, Families & Schools Committee (or the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee should the new governance system be approved) outlining options for:-

(a) a holistic approach to city wide policies to make Brighton and Hove an attractive place for families and young people to live in;

(b) keeping families with children under the age of 18 as part of a holistic strategy to ensure that the impact of future policies on families are given serious consideration