Agenda item - Deputations from members of the public

A list of deputations received by the due date of 12noon on 9 December 2024 will be circulated separately as part of an addendum for the meeting.

1)               That the Deputation concerning Affordable Housing in Brighton & Hove be noted.

2)               That the Deputation concerning Smartphones for Children be noted.

52.1    The Mayor reported that two deputations had been received from members of the public and invited Diane Montgomery as the spokesperson for the first deputation to come forward and address the council. The deputation concerned Affordable Housing in Brighton & Hove.

52.2    The Mayor invited Councillor Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing & New Homes replied: Cabinet Member for Transport, Parking and Public Realm to reply.

52.3    Councillor Williams replied:

I can assure you that while Council officers are currently progressing, as we’ve heard, with the development of a new leisure centre on the King Alfred site, we are also exploring options for maximising affordable housing on that site. We’re a long way away from deciding exactly what’s going to happen on the site but that’s certainly on the table and we are consulting with Homes England on that very point. But thank you for raising again and reminding us of the crippling housing crisis that we are facing and have been facing.

We are deeply committed to tackling that housing crisis and, as we have heard, the highest number of homes since 2013 have been built in this city this year.
We delivered a significant number of social and affordable homes in our city and we have plans to deliver many more and we're going everywhere, every corner of our city. From Portslade, Rottingdean, Hollingbury, Hove, to building over car parks in Kemptown. We're building up in Queens Park. We're doing a brand-new housing estate at social rent in Moulsecoomb, and with the help of this new government, there is more to come I promise you.

Overall, with New Homes for Neighbours and Homes for Brighton & Hove partnerships, we have 1109 affordable homes at various stages right at this moment, so watch this space. You will be seeing lots and lots of genuinely affordable homes for the residents who deserve it in our city. Thank you, Mr Mayor.

52.4    The Mayor advised that in view of the similar subject matter of Deputation 2 concerning Smartphones for Children, the deputation and the Petition for Debate on the related subject at Item 55 would be considered together.

52.5    Gregor Ross presented a deputation concerning Smartphones for Children.

52.6    Councillor Daniel, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Youth Services & for Ending Violence Against Women & Girls replied:

Thank you for your petition and deputation today.  I think your campaign has been really timely and inspiring as the wider media and public start to consider the questions on what boundaries should be put around teens and digital tools. I was keen that you came to Full Council so that all our parties could have their say and engage with this campaign.

I agree with Peter Kyle MP that the really critical issue is that technology companies take responsibility for, as well as profit from, the tools that they make available. Research with young people highlights that there is positive sides to mobile phones and social medias in terms of friendship connection, ways to cope and manage moods along with the negatives you have outlined.

We already work with schools on lessons to support better education around both social media and mobile phones and I will organise a round table with school leaders and SENCOs, parents and young people in 2025 and Peter Kyle will join that if he is available.  

I am conscious that whatever position we land on we have to bear in mind more disadvantaged families and the fact that too many pupils only can do access on their mobile phones, so we can’t move forward in a way that compounds that disadvantage.  

 Additionally, I’d want to know that there would be exemptions for carers and disabled children, and I want to support school leaders who currently do enable those children access to their phones whilst by and large banning phones from the school day.  

I will also be attending your event on the 23^rd January and I’m really looking forward to learning more. Thanks so much for this, I really appreciate it.

52.7    Resolved –

1)               That the Deputation concerning Affordable Housing in Brighton & Hove be noted.

2)               That the Deputation concerning Smartphones for Children be noted.