Agenda item - Deputations from members of the public

A list of deputations received by the due date of 10am on 1 October 2025 will be circulated separately as part of an addendum for the meeting.

37.1    The mayor reported that four deputations had been received from members of the public and invited them in turn to come forward and address the council:

1.        Dirk Mitchell presented a deputation concerning biodiversity vs microplastics pollution.           

Councillor Rowkins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Net Zero & Environmental Services, replied:   

Nice to see you in person, Dirk – I know we’ve exchanged a couple of emails on this subject over the last week or two. 3G pitches obviously play a very big role in enabling our residents to be physically active and can sustain, as you say, much greater usage than standard grass pitches, which of course can be taken out of action due to overuse or adverse weather conditions, the cancellation of matches and so on. I do take your point though about being able to make some of those traditional grass pitches potentially more durable through the use of biochar and other things, and I'm pleased to see you highlight the Level as being a success story in that regard.  

Obviously, any artificial surface has an impact environmentally and microplastics, as you described so ably in your deputation, are a major global problem and something that I'm personally very, very concerned about. You mentioned microplastics have been found up and down the food chain and in various wildlife and invertebrates and so on. Also in clouds and at the top of the highest mountains and the bottoms of the deepest seas and everywhere. I mean it really is everywhere, including I think 80% of humans have it in their blood as well. It really is a crisis that we’re facing in that regard. 

There are potential alternatives to rubber crumbs, some of which you mentioned. Those include organic materials such as cork and wood chip, olive pits and walnut shells. You are probably aware, I guess, of the work being done in Sheffield, with close involvement of the Department for Culture, Media and Support, DEFRA and Sport England, where I think it’s 6 pitches are being used as a test bed to evaluate a range of alternative materials and gather some performance data and some feedback from players as well in terms of how it feels to play on those surfaces. That work will help ascertain whether these materials can meet the standards required by organisations such as the FA, and we'll obviously be watching the output of that work very closely. I think it's due to, not necessarily report, but I think that testing finishes towards the end of the summer next year. So we haven't got too much longer to wait to get some decent data on that hopefully. Grass will of course always be the preferred option environmentally. We'll certainly always consider that whether it's a viable option based on the use.  

I just want to pick up on one of the points you're making which is biodiversity net gain usually only looks at the biodiversity loss on sites, and I think the broad point you're making there which I think is a really good one, is what about biodiversity loss that might happen further on down the line as a result of that microplastic pollution. I don’t have an answer to that right now, but it’s certainly something for us to consider. So thank you for bringing the deputation in so much detail, and I look forward to picking up the conversation with you in due course.  

2.        Susan Sheftz presented a deputation titled Will You Support Us? 

Councillor Sankey, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Chair, replied: 

Susan,?Judith, Kim, Pieter, Sheila, Yoram and Joy, thank you for your deputation. As members of our local and treasured Jewish community, I say to you that Jewish residents in this city are seen, respected and deeply valued. Our administration and this council stands against the despicable rise in anti-Semitism here in the UK and I give you my word that we will redouble our efforts to root it out.  

I am so proud to hail from a city with a deeply rooted and much cherished Jewish community. Brighton & Hove’s story cannot be written without the contribution of Jews who have been here for so many generations and have contributed so much to the shaping, the building and the values of this city. It's why, following the revelation of a far-right plot to attack a synagogue here in Hove in ‘23, I met with Rabbis in the city and Jewish leaders to offer support, reassurance and to ask what more we could do. It's why, following the horrific attacks of the 7th of October 2023, the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, our Labour group gave an immediate statement of support acknowledging the right of Israel to defend herself. It's why, following the horrendous terror attack at Heaton Park synagogue last month, we in the Labour group attended every Shabbat service that Friday and Saturday. And it's why I attended the 7/10 memorial at BNJC last week. I am clear that an attack on Jews is an attack on all of us and our way of life. 

To your asks, we hear what you say about ascribing genocidal intent to Israel. For this reason, we are proposing an amendment to the Green Notice of Motion this evening to make clear that it is the actions of the Israeli Government that we are critical of, not Israel. We also hear your concern that calls for divestment single out Israel. It is a matter of law and policy. Public bodies have a duty to ensure that they do not aid or abet this. This is why, following the UN Special Commission of Inquiry, finding that genocide has been occurring in Gaza, I wrote to East Sussex Pension Committee. But you are right that we must ensure that any investment that may abet human rights abuses anywhere in the world should be dealt with and we will take this point forward.  

To your point about our Labour government's recognition of Palestine, this historic decision reflects our unwavering commitment to a two-state solution and our passionate belief in the inalienable right of Palestinian people to self-determination. It delivers on our long-standing Labour manifesto commitment. This is not an anti-Semitic act. In fact, we firmly believe that a two-state solution is the only path to ensure a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. 

It is heartbreaking to me that you say social circles are closing and that you feel prejudice directed at you by public sector bodies and that Jews are considering emigrating. I know this only too well as my best Jewish friend from university already lives in America saying she feels unsafe in the UK. It is why I have now asked for anti-Semitism training to be rolled out to all council staff, why I welcome the measures that government has announced on tackling anti-Semitism, and why when I meet Jewish community leaders in the coming days, I will be asking again, what more can we do? 

3.       Harry Walsh presented a deputation concerning why devolution matters for skills and opportunities to the next generation. 

Councillor Hewitt replied: 

Thank you, Harry and Bill and your colleagues, for presenting your speech and the text you have submitted as part of your deputation. It’s great to see the level of engagement and you’ve really captured the essence of what devolution can unlock and bring to our region. It is important that you have highlighted the impact of any decisions which are made, not least this one, will always have a significant impact on younger people and future generations.  

A devolution bill will transfer adult educational functions from central government to the new authorities. This includes the ability to receive and manage the Adult Skills Fund, which is a non-repayable grant from the Department for Education. The Adult Skills Fund is there to fund skills training for adults aged 19 and over and is used to support with gaining skills for employment, entering apprenticeships and progressing to further learning. The funding is non-ringfenced so will give strategic authorities flexibilities to meet local needs and a broad discretion over how to use the funding. The funding can be tailored to meet local economic and skills needs, which really plays into your point about using this to support the industries and jobs in our region and having the strategic overview to join everything up. 

Other areas in the country have set up youth guarantee trailblazers, which are there to specifically support 18- to 21-year-olds with access to work and education. So, this is an area which could also be unlocked.  

On your point about ensuring that young people and other generations and demographics are more connected to politics, at the next general election 16- and 17-year-olds will be able to vote. Accepted voter identification card formats are being widened, and modernizing the electoral registration process will improve engagement and suffrage, that is thanks to a Labour Government.  

Locally, the proposal we submitted last month to government for there to be five unitary authorities in Sussex representing between 300,000 and 400,000 people each will ensure residents are closer to their decision-making bodies and to their democracy, as well as having their communities represented well.  

We’ve got a full item on devolution later this evening. You are more than welcome to stick around for the next three hours or so, however you may prefer to watch the recording on YouTube at your leisure. 

4.        Paul Roughsedge presented a deputation concerning green spaces. 

Councillor Rowkins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Net Zero & Environmental Services, replied:   

Thanks for bringing the deputation and actually, primarily, thank you to you and the residents for taking good care of that site in recent years. Obviously public access to green space is a priority for us and we know how important it is to our residents for all the reasons you've just described so eloquently, and we'll always seek to facilitate that where we can. I understand, as you suggest, that there's been some reluctance to invoke the covenant up to now due to the potential for liability of the maintenance of the site transferring to the council in the future.  

I am keen to see if we can find a solution though and obviously, as you know, we’re trying to come and meet with you and ward Councillors as well to have a look at the site, do exactly as you suggest, see what you’ve been doing there and kind of get a better feel for what that site means to residents and get a better understanding for what you’re proposing really.  

So, I don’t have a long and detailed response for you today, but I’m looking forward to coming and seeing the site 
  

So, I don't have a long and detailed response for you today, but I'm looking forward to coming and seeing the site, hearing more about it. I can promise that I'll take that forward with officers and colleagues and come back to you in due course. Thank you again for coming. 
 
 RESOLVED:

1)            That the Deputation(s) be noted.