Agenda item - Chair's Communications

45.1      The Chair provided the following Communications:

I'm really pleased to be introducing a range of items for discussion this afternoon that again outline ambitious and innovative policies being put forward by this Council to help drive growth boost economic activity and improve the quality of life and lives of our residents.

Our Get Sussex Working Plan is a fantastic example of the benefits of collaborating with our neighbouring authorities. It's a cross Sussex response to the government's Get Britain Working white paper with the ambitious aim of reducing economic inactivity and increasing local long-term employment to 80% by 2035. We know too many people are stuck in insecure, poor quality and often low paying work, while others are excluded from the jobs market altogether. We know that too many young people are leaving education without the skills they need to succeed and that too many employers are unable to fill their vacancies because of a combination of shortages in available labour and the necessary skills. There are still too many barriers that people must overcome, not only to find paid work, but to reach their potential, and we know some groups, such as women who provide care for their family still face unacceptable challenges staying in work and progressing in their careers. Following funding from our Labour government, our Get Sussex Working Plan will tackle those issues and reduce those barriers. Not only will this boost growth across Sussex, it will help us to reduce inequality, improve people's health and well-being and providing security and dignity, which should always come hand in hand with employment, it will also ensure more money and support is available for those who need it most, but are unable to work for whatever reason.

Earlier this month, I met with council leaders and other regional stakeholders and key figures from a range of local organisations for the inaugural meeting of a new partnership board, marking a key milestone in our journey towards devolution and establishing a mayoral combined county authority for Sussex and Brighton next May.

Devolution will bring influence on financial investment closer to our local community, so we can decide how to create jobs and affordable homes and deliver better integrated public transport. On that, I have no doubt there is so much we can achieve by working together with our neighbours and by taking advantage of the opportunities being created.

By devolution and the transfer of decision making and funding to our communities here in Brighton and Sussex, Sussex has so much to offer and to be proud of, and that stretches beyond the beyond the boundaries of our amazing city, from Chichester in the west to Rye in the east, from Crawley in the north.

To our fantastic community here in Brighton and Hove, a united Sussex is a force to be reckoned with. Together we can build on our collective strengths, celebrate our differences and make the most of this once in a generation opportunity. Creative thinking is undoubtedly one of this region and city strengths and our city is known worldwide as somewhere which will embrace innovation and balance protection for our local heritage with a modern and optimistic outlook.

As a Council, we're certainly bold in how we approach local challenges. One of our commitments as a Labour Council is to provide residents with somewhere safe and secure to live. That is the very least that people should expect, but unfortunately for many in our city, insecure or low-quality housing is a daily problem, which is why I am particularly proud of the decisive action being proposed by this Council to write this wrong today.

We're planning a bold and compassionate intervention to directly purchase temporary homes for homeless families. This significant move marks a shift in how we're using our resources. Prior prioritising people over property and placing vulnerable families at the heart of our housing strategy.

As part of a wider commitment to financial sustainability and social impact, we'll also maximise the use of our existing assets. The recommendations before you today is for the purchase of up to 200 additional temporary homes with an initial investment of £10 million.

These homes will offer greater flexibility than secure tenancies, allowing us to support families in transition and help them prepare for long term renting. No new eligibility criteria are being introduced. Instead, we will prioritise families most in need.

Everyone deserves safe and secure and affordable home, and this Council is defiant in its commitment to providing it.

Lastly, I'd like to highlight an agenda item which is only partly taking place in public this afternoon as an open and transparent Council. It's rare that we restrict access to proceedings and only when there are commercial sensitivities which compel us to do so. This item relates to women's sport and our determination to continue to do all we can to build on this city's growing reputation as a champion of elite women's sport and a hub for active grassroots participation.

We know the positive impact that staging and promoting international sporting events here in Brighton can have on residents and businesses. It boosts our economy, inspires our residents and brings our communities together. We've seen it before when we hosted the Lionesses during their triumphant EURO campaign.

And we're seeing it again following our success at the host city for the recent women's Rugby World Cup. We're keen to further understand the potential for building on Brighton & Hove’s growing reputation as a sporting city. To do that, we need to explore other opportunities for hosting elite level competition and how we can continue to develop the local legacy already established.

By being home to the most brilliant Premier League football club that we have and hosting previous international sporting events, this is at an early stage. But as plans develop, we will be able to update residents.