Agenda item - Cost of Living Action Plan and Brighton & Hove Fairness Fund

31.1    Councillor Daniel, Alexander, Robinson and Grimshaw declared an interest in relation to the item and left the meeting.

31.2    Councillor Taylor introduced, and formally moved the report.

31.2    Councillor McLeay, De Oliveira, Hogan and Earthey spoke on the matter.

31.3    Councillor Taylor responded to the debate.

31.4    The Mayor put the recommendations as detailed in the report listed in the agenda to the vote which was carried.

31.5    RESOLVED:

1.     Approved the Cost of Living Action Plan set out in Appendix 1.

2.     Approved the creation of a new Brighton & Hove Fairness Fund as a practical and strategic response to the challenges set out in the Cost of Living Action Plan.

3.     Agreed the proposed allocation plans for the Brighton & Hove Fairness Fund incorporating the council’s General Fund resources, reallocated external funds, and the Household Support Fund 2024-25 as set out in paragraph 4.6, having noted the Equalities Impact Assessment at Appendix 2.

4.     Noted that management of the application process for bids against the sum allocated to the ‘Fairness Fund for Community Organisations’, if approved, will be managed by the Communities, Equalities & Third Sector team.

5.     Noted that any sums identified for allocation at a later date will be brought back to an appropriate member meeting for approval.

6.     Agreed to delegate adjustments to allocations of the Household Support Fund to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Chair of Strategy, Finance & City Regeneration Committee, within the bounds of the council’s rules for virement, where the funding available changes, or there is evidence of changing need throughout the 6-month period of the Household Support Fund, to ensure that all of the fund is utilised within the time allowed.