Agenda item - Issues Raised by Members

To consider the following matters raised by Members:

 

(a)           Written Questions:

To consider any written questions

99.1      A copy of the questions received was circulated ahead of the meeting. Responses provided both at the meeting and in writing are as follows:

 

1.             Councillor McNair- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

Have refuse vehicle numbers increased since 2023? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Refuse Trucks, 2023 = 57 to now = 63  

 

The increase in trucks has been part of the fleet replacement programme and the introduction of food waste collections. The replacement programme has seen 9 refuse vehicles replaced since 2023 with 9 additional due to arrive in November, and this is being managed as part of a new fleet strategy that is addressing the historic under investment in fleet. In addition, we have 5 new vehicles for our food waste service  

 

2.             Councillor McNair- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

Have Environmental Services staff numbers gone up since 2023? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Yes, there has been an increase in the number of permanent and temporary staff across the whole service as part of the improvement programme, and introduction of new services such as food waste collections. We have also increased the number of mechanics to increase resilience of the fleet service and projects staff to deliver the service improvements. As we continue to transform and improve the service we will ensure that the right level of resources are in place for a resilient service.

 

3.             Councillor McNair- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

How many vehicle breakdowns have there been since November 2025? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

The number of breakdowns since November is as follows: 

 

Nov – 6 

Dec – 5 

Jan – 5 

 

In addition to breakdowns, vehicles also develop defects which, may lead to future breakdowns or impact safety. These defects can also mean a vehicle is off the road while it is addressed. We have instigated measures last year to identify and address more defects at the end of shifts so that triage and maintenance can take place well in advance of the following morning.  

 

4.             Councillor Meadows- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

Does the 99% collection rate (3.3) refer to the same day or within 48 hours? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

The collection performance is a weekly figure and is based on the number of bins collected on the scheduled collection day. Since the introduction of the digital in cab technology system, the service has access to reliable data which is used to understand performance each week. We are working towards a service standard that will ensure any missed work is collected in 48 hours, but the data below is based on collections on the scheduled collection day.  

  

 

5.             Councillor Meadows- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

Residents in Patcham & Hollingbury have not experienced a collection rate of 99% this winter.  What is the rubbish and recycling rates in Patcham & Hollingbury and Westdene & Hove Park? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

We do not hold recycling rates or refuse collection data, broken down by ward. The current round structure does not correlate with wards as some cross over into different areas, meaning the data would not represent figures for a ward. We know that some areas of the city have had greater issues than others, and this is a matter of great concern and one that we are absolutely focused on and will address as the service continues to become more resilient. For instance we are doing a deep dive into Saltdean as this is an area where we acknowledge improvements are needed. We have made some changes to rounds in Hove Park area that have addressed some issues we previously had.  

 

6.             Councillor Meadows- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

Is introducing a fortnightly refuse collection and fortnightly food collection a cost-cutting exercise? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

This report seeks approval to model a fortnightly kerbside refuse collection only. All other streams would remain as they are, including food waste, which is weekly for kerbside and as often as daily in central communal locations. 

With so much more waste coming out of the refuse bins and into recycling streams, we need to consider whether collecting half empty bins every week is the most sensible and efficient use of council resources. 

In short, it is not about cost but about delivering the best and most efficient service possible to our residents. 

 

7.             Councillor McNair- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

By implementing a fortnightly refuse collection, is the council admitting that the problems in the Environmental Services department investigated in the KC’s report in 2023 are still ongoing? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

No. More than 80% of councils already collect refuse fortnightly or, in some cases, every 3 or 4 weeks.   

 

8.             Councillor McNair- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

Is the council admitting that it does not have the staffing levels or vehicle availability to manage a weekly service? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

No. However, clearly a move to fortnightly would enable us to jettison some of our older vehicles, thereby improving the reliability of the fleet.  

 

9.             Councillor Meadows- More recycling, less waste – a new collection model 

 

When is this reduced fortnightly service likely to be introduced? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

We are undertaking a review of the service as described in the report. There is no set timescale currently, and we plan to bring a report back to cabinet with the outcome of the review in the summer. If a move to fortnightly collection is recommended following our review and engagement with residents, we would anticipate the earliest possible implementation around November 2026.  

 

10.          Councillor Meadows- Council Tax Base and Business Rates Retention Forecasts 2026/27 

 

By what percentage are business rates increasing? 

 

Response: Cllr Taylor

 

Business Rates are not increasing by a single percentage, as there are several changes which interact with each other, affecting different businesses in the city in different ways.  

 

The changes are listed in the report, but the main changes include: 

·       A new valuation list 

·       Changes to business rates multipliers 

·       A new temporary transitional relief scheme 

·       A new temporary transitional supplement of 1p for those businesses not in receipt of transitional relief.  

 

11.          Councillor McNair- Council Tax Base and Business Rates Retention Forecasts 2026/27 

 

How many businesses will be impacted by increasing business rates? 

 

Response: Cllr Taylor

 

All businesses in the city will be affected by the business rates revaluation from 1 April 2026.  

Following on from the answer to question 10, because of the way the different changes interact with each other, it is not yet possible to provide a figure of how many businesses will be impacted by increasing business rates. The updates required to the system that calculates and produces the bills will not be installed until mid-February.  

 

12.          Councillor Meadows- Council Tax Base and Business Rates Retention Forecasts 2026/27 

 

Is the council providing any support to businesses under threat of closure?   

 

Response: Cllr Taylor

 

Business rates hardship relief is available in certain circumstances.  

 

Businesses can use the Growth Hub and BIPC at Jubilee Library for free. Services include training and guidance to other support resources. The Growth Hub offers a Sales Skills bootcamp with Freedom Works, has a Scale-up Programme for growing businesses, and runs the Brighton & Hove Business Launchpad for start-ups. More support options are being considered as resources allow.  

 

13.          Councillor McNair- Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan 2025-35 

 

What percentage of council tax is used to help the council achieve Net Zero? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Work on Net Zero is embedded throughout the council, with multiple teams doing associated work – Highways, Parks, Planning, Estates, Housing and of course the Net Zero Team itself. 

These teams receive funding from multiple sources, including central government grants, HRA and general fund, of which council tax is a part. 

Polls show that work on climate has strong support from the public. Much of our work delivers warmer homes and lower bills for some of our most deprived residents.  

 

14.          Councillor Meadows- Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan 2025-35 

 

What likelihood is there of the council and the city achieving net zero by 2030?   

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Our Decarbonisation Pathways Study, published in late 2024, sets out the pace and scale required for the whole city to reach Net Zero and identifies the key projects required. We are working on an investment and delivery vehicle to accelerate progress as quickly as possible.  

 

15.          Councillor McNair- Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan 2025-35 

 

Is the drive to a circular demand the reason why contracts negotiated by the council are more expensive than they otherwise would be? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

If you can give me a better idea of what you are referring to, I can do my best to comment. The question suggests that you have a set of data that outline two contract costs – the amount spent by the council and a comparable but cheaper contract. If you’re happy to send me that data, we can look into it. 

In short though, good circular principles such as using recycled materials in new buildings, can lead to significant savings, which I assume you’ll support.  

 

16.          Councillor Meadows- Biodiversity Habitat Bank Pilot at St Michael’s Field 

 

Could you please explain what a habitat bank is, what a unit is, and how it can be sold in plain English?   

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Biodiversity Net Gain legislation requires developers to compensate for any potential loss of biodiversity as a result of their development. The legislation means that just mitigating what might be lost is not enough, and that a minimum 10% net increase is required. 

Where that is not possible on-site, they must pay for this biodiversity net gain to be realised elsewhere, at a registered habitat bank.  A habitat bank is therefore an area of land that is managed to provide an improvement in biodiversity, sustained over 30 years.  This is sold as Biodiversity Net Gain units to developers. 

A unit is a standardised measurement which places a value on habitat types based on how much biodiversity they support and the condition of the habitat, and is used to ensure that the purchaser is paying for the replacement and improvement of habitat types that are lost or damaged from a development. The units are registered on Natural England’s national register and developers can purchase units directly from the landowner by searching the register or through a broker.  

 

17.          Councillor McNair- Biodiversity Habitat Bank Pilot at St Michael’s Field 

 

How is a habitat bank at St Michael’s Field connected to Patcham Court Farm? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

The field referred to as St Michael’s Field was part of Patcham Court Farm and previously used for agricultural purposes by the tenant of that farm. While the field is no longer leased to the farm tenant, it continues to have historical and geographical connections to Patcham Court Farm. The council staff responsible for delivering the habitat bank will continue to work in partnership with the farm tenant on joined up management of the field and surrounding landscape. 

 

18.          Councillor Meadows- Biodiversity Habitat Bank Pilot at St Michael’s Field 

 

Despite stating in paragraph 5.4 that ward councillors have been briefed on this, to the best of our knowledge, we haven’t.  When will we be? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Ward Councillors have been contacted to set a date for this briefing, and a written briefing has been sent.   

 

19.          Councillor West- More Recycling, less waste - a new collection model 

 

Moving to fortnightly rubbish collections was something the Green administration sought to do over ten years ago as part of a plan to introduce food waste collections. Labour in cahoots with the Conservative Group quashed that plan, leaving the city embarrassed to be one of the last councils in the country collecting refuse every week and without a food waste collection scheme until the previous Government made this mandatory. Would the Administration apologise for all those lost years when recycling would have been incentivised, food waste would have been composted and less 'waste' would have been incinerated? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

There is a fundamental difference between the Green Party’s approach to recycling and ours – sequencing.  

The Green proposal was to switch to fortnightly collections in the vague hope that it would improve recycling rates. Our approach has been as follows: 

 

1.     Finally address the fundamental and historic issues with the collections service 

2.     Expand the materials we collect for recycling 

3.     Introduce weekly food waste, along with the necessary funding from the council – and by the way, (aside from Lewes who have had it for some time) we were the first council in the region to start food waste rollout because we were progressing it before the government even announced mandated date. 

4.     Model fortnightly collections based on the significantly reduced waste in the bins, and using modern systems instead of pieces of paper. 

 

The Green position on recycling is all over the place. First, it was “it’s not possible because of the contract”, then it was “you’re only doing it because you have to”, then it was “you shouldn’t be recycling plastics anyway” and now it’s “please apologise for the fact that the Green council wasn’t able to do it”. 

Now I know the Green Party doesn’t talk about the environment anymore, but my question to you is – given that you have twice called publicly for us not to expand our recycling provision, will you be lobbying Zack to include an end to plastics recycling the next Green manifesto? 

  

20.          Councillor Hill- Sussex and Brighton devolution and Mayoral election 

 

Despite having a much smaller population than West and East Sussex respectively, our administration has agreed a memorandum of understanding to take on an equal third share of the value of the financial contributions and liabilities for the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority of any future debt. While I understand the stated reason of this is due to each authority having equal voting rights, why should our city take on a disproportionate financial risk compared to our neighbouring councils in setting this up? In other words, are those 2 votes on the strategic authority really worth the extra cost for us? 

 

Response: Cllr Hewitt

 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering contributions and liabilities for the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority will be time-limited and will end in May 2028 upon vesting of new unitary authorities following local government reorganisation. It is judged that risk of an overspend is very low given the resources that will be available to the new authority and the commitment from all constituent authorities to ensure a balanced budget. A range of mitigations to avoid an overspend have been agreed and are set out in the report to Cabinet.  

The MOU aligns financial commitment to voting rights for this initial 2-year period. This was felt to be an appropriate approach to support partnership working at this critical phase and help secure agreement to deliver the benefits of devolution at the earliest opportunity. There is precedent in other Combined Authorities to agreeing a similar approach to that set out in the MOU despite disparities in population.  

But let me make a further point, the collaboration we are seeking with East and West Sussex is historic – it is a genuine partnership based on coming together as equals, something this arrangement reinforces. Brighton & Hove will not be subservient, in fact we together with our partners in East and West Sussex are taking a leading role in devolution. Unlike past Green led Council’s we are financially prudent and this arrangement is one we have considered to be in the best interests of the City.  

 

21.          Councillor Hill- Sussex and Brighton devolution and Mayoral election 

 

Our neighbouring constituent authorities will be potentially run by Councillors serving seven year terms from 2021 until 2028 when vesting day occurs a year after the new shadow authorities are elected in 2027. These long terms are highly undemocratic. The political makeup of them would likely be totally different were it not for the government allowing them to not hold elections year after year. Does the administration agree with me that their lack of mandate harms the legitimacy of their role in creating the strategic authority? 

 

Response: Cllr Hewitt 

 

The timing of elections in other local authority areas is a matter for those administrations and the Government. We are focussed on working to deliver devolution as soon as possible and unlocking new powers and funding that will bring significant benefit to the residents of Brighton and Hove as well as the wider region.  

But I’m curious about the Green position on this. One minute you’re leafleting houses across the City saying we’re on the verge of having a new Green Mayor for Sussex, then you arrive here in the Chamber to question the legitimacy of the whole project and over in Hastings – not sure if you’re aware but your Party is supporting the delay of elections – does the Green Party have a coherent position on anything?  

 

22.          Councillor Sykes- More Recycling, less waste - a new collection model 

 

The paper describes 'significant progress made to improve the performance of the waste and recycling service'; yet the next item 104 then shows that residual waste is rising, missed collections are rising, street litter is rising and the percentage of waste sent for reuse and recycling is down and declining, to levels below those achieved 12 years ago. I'm getting emails every week from B&A residents complaining about overflowing communal bins. Will the administration maintain performance monitoring to allow us to continue to see what's really happening in our services? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Yes, we will, and indeed we are working on a public facing dashboard that shows service performance every week. 

There are a few factors that impact our recycling rate – contamination and non-compliance are certainly two of them, and we will be taking steps to address that. But the path to better recycling rates has to include the expansion of materials that are collected, and that is why we have made that our priority. The data in the report is the period to June 2025 – before we began collecting new materials. 

The data on litter actually shows an improvement since the last update, and the same is true for missed collections. 

 

23.          Councillor Sykes- 2025/26 Mid-year Council Plan Progress update 

 

Stage 1 complaints about performance in Environmental Services are upheld in 93.5% of cases; far higher than under other services. How has this been assessed by the administration and what steps are planned to address this? 

 

Response: Cllr Allen

 

Environmental Services make around 190,000 collections every week. The number of formal complaints received relating to missed collections over the six-month period referred to in the report is 276, representing a small proportion of the total number of collections the service have to make.  

The upheld rate for these complaints is 93.5%  - we would always uphold a complaint where we have not delivered a service in the way that we should have.  

The transformation in progress, including digital & data improvements, within Environmental Services will both strengthen our service performance and improve residents’ experience.  

One key difference now compared to is that when residents call the contact centre, the member of staff actually knows what is happening on the ground. 

Outdated paper-based systems have been replaced with a modern digital platform, connecting crews, back office staff, and customer contact teams. This integration enables real-time resource deployment and performance monitoring, ensuring everyone is informed and able to respond quickly to operational needs.  

Digitisation has enabled the launch of real-time information service for residents, providing transparent updates on collection performance. As soon as a bin is recorded as missed or not collected due to contamination by a crew. 

Ultimately, the strategy for reducing the number of complaints is to reduce the number of missed collections – and our target is zero.  

 

24.          Councillor Sykes- 2025/26 Mid-year Council Plan Progress update 

 

Under key corporate KPIs, business rates collection performance is significantly down and declining against targets, potentially implying an additional shortfall of up to £2.4m in revenue to the council. Has this been looked into and what are the reasons for this? 

 

Response: Cllr Allen

 

The business rates base is volatile. In September 2025, an additional £0.808m was added to the base, on which we are now progressing collection.  

The projection following Q3 (October to December 2025) is a year-end collection rate of 95.8%. 

The team continues to review data to inform changes to the way they are working, such as targeting accounts with large debts where no payments have been received. 

As part of the Business Rates Retention Scheme, the Council’s share of the cost of non- collection is 49% of the total.  

 

25.          Councillor Sykes- Sussex and Brighton devolution and Mayoral election 

 

How many FTE are now working on devolution and what was spent on devolution in the current financial year against budget? 

 

Response: Cllr Hewitt 

 

The current dedicated staff resource for the Devolution Programme is 1.5 FTEs. The allocated budget for 2025/2026 is £112, 500.00. It is estimated that up 31st December 2025, £48,682.63 would be spent against budget. 

And to put this into perspective, this will deliver a 30 year investment fund, totalling £1.14bn from 2028 and £30.4m released over the next two years and £4.5 million in capacity funding over 4 years to support the establishment the new authority.  

 

26.          Councillor Sykes- Council tax base and business rates retention forecasts 2026/27 

 

9682 dwellings are estimated to be exempt from council tax. It is assumed the bulk of these are student households; can a breakdown be provided. 

 

Response: Cllr Taylor

 

The breakdown is as follows: 

B - Unoccupied by Charity, 59 

D - Unoccupied by Prisoner, 11 

E - Patient, 170 

F - Awaiting Probate / Probate Granted, 694 

G - Prohibited by Law, 8 

I - Receiving Care, 17 

J - Providing Care, 8 

L - Mortgagee in Possession, 11 

M - Halls of Residence, 1,387 

N - Occup wholly students, 5,695 

S - Occup under 18 years, 12 

T - Unoccupied Annexe, 18 

U - SMI, 1,568 

W - Granny Annexe, 15 

Other categories not defined above - 9 

TOTAL, 9,682 

 

27.          Councillor Sykes- Future model of ORBIS IT&D, procurement and internal audit services 

 

It appears that political disagreement between Surrey, East Sussex and BHCC is the reason for termination of the bulk of integrated IT&D services, and the paper states "BHCC has no choice but to exit the partnership", at the cost to BHCC of an additional £0.457m in scarce revenue funding. It seems an extraordinary time for this to happen just prior to devo and LGR. This must be seen as a political failure by all three authorities. Can the Administration explain? 

 

Response: Cllr Taylor

 

In 2025, all three authorities agreed to review each of the Orbis services and establish which meet the needs of the authorities going forward. The big thing is with IT&D and transformation, we're all going to have to get our heads round as councillors, including through budget setting.

The needs of the authority in terms of IT&D and transformation to be able to transform services and keep delivering for residents through, you know, various things, whether it's AI, automation, etcetera, the view was clear that we need our own independence and our own strategy in IT&D to be able to do that.  It was clear that a partner authority didn't want to continue a partnership arrangement of IT&D. Partnership arrangements are always to be encouraged, but it was clear an increased level of strategic support required to progress our ambitious plans for transformation couldn't be met within the partnership. Ending the partnerships, not a political falling out or failing, but to ensure the right IT&D support is in place to deliver the transformation over the medium term. 

 

28.          Councillor Shanks- Youth Participation Update 

 

How will the administration ensure a good geographical representation and include diversity in the youth council? 

 

Response: Cllr Daniel

 

The Youth Council offers an election or nomination process to all local authority schools in the city alongside several colleges. The incoming cohort has representation from 9 out of 10 local authority secondary schools and four colleges in the city. The Youth Council allocates protected spaces for young people who may find it harder to engage or whose voices may be underrepresented. These spaces can be nominated to thereby avoiding the barrier that being elected may cause. This year the Youth Council are piloting ambassador roles, members whose focus will be to listen, connect and advocate for groups in the city whose voices are underrepresented. Where possible these will be young people who represent these groups, where this is not possible members will stand and aim to learn and understand the groups they represent to best advocate on their behalf. This will also be implemented through their listening processes where ambassadors will seek to listen specifically to the groups they represent to ensure a broad, representative and inclusive capturing of young people’s voice in the city. 

 

29.          Councillor Shanks- Housing Management for Brickfields Development 

 

This appears a missed opportunity for the council to manage this site and keep council tenants. Will cabinet consider managing Brickfields development itself rather than a 125 years lease? 

 

Response: Cllr Alexander

 

This option was seriously considered but would result in a loss of housing benefit subsidy of around £60,000 per year as the Council cannot reclaim subsidy for enhanced housing benefit for accommodation that we ourselves provide, even if technically we are a registered provider. Paragraphs 3.7 and 4.3 of the report also provide details of why this option is not recommended - the council has limited experience and capacity to manage a specialised supported living service with the level of responsiveness that is required for residents with such specialist needs. 

 

30.          Councillor Shanks- Housing Management for Brickfields Development 

 

Is there a break option for the lease and what would happen if a new provider relinquishes it? 

 

Response: Cllr Alexander

 

It is not usual practice to have a break clause within a 125 year lease and we wouldn’t be complying with the Homes England restrictions if we were to include this. If the provider wishes to relinquish the lease they must seek an alternative Registered Provider to assign it to and seek the Council’s approval. 

  

31.          Councillor Fishleigh- More Recycling, Less Waste- A new collection model 

 

With some residents in the area I represent not having had a recycling collection since the start of December (ie three collection misses), and the caretaker of the 200+ flats at the Grand Ocean in Saltdean having to call every week to ask when there will be a recycling collection, do you agree that the easiest way to increase our city’s recycling levels is to actually empty the bins? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Yes, clearly a reliable collection service is the fundamental, and that has been our top priority. An enormous amount of work has taken place, but we are still on that journey. 

However, another fundamental part of improving our recycling has been to add new materials to our collections and I’m pleased we have been able to deliver that. 

Residents in Saltdean have not had the service they should expect, and we remain focussed on making the necessary improvements to the service.  

 

32.          Councillor Fishleigh- More Recycling, Less Waste- A new collection model 

 

Paragraph 6.1 of the report is unclear to me. I read it that the cost of doing the various assessments, surveys and employing an independent consultant will be £0.512m and that this money will be taken from the food waste budget. Is this correct and, if so, do you think that buying another lorry that won’t break down, or employing more people (internally or agency) is more likely to increase recycling rates? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

Vehicles are purchased via the Capital Programme; we can’t purchase vehicles from revenue funding. 

We have been investing as quickly as possible in new vehicles but, given the age profile of the fleet following years of neglect, it will take some time to get the fleet as a whole to where it needs to be. 

It should be pointed out though that the disruption in early January was primarily due to weather, and compounded by staffing shortfalls on our afternoon crews – our main source of catch-up capacity. 

However, clearly any move to fortnightly kerbside refuse collections would enable us to jettison some of the older vehicles, thereby improving the reliability of the fleet. 

The £0.512M in quoted in the financial implications of the report has been carried into the next financial year from the budget for rolling out food waste. This will be the project budget for both deciding on and rolling out a new collection model that optimises the frequency and structure of the rounds. Included is programme management, data analytics, operations expertise, and secondments of drivers and a post to engage with residents, to ensure that we are designing the new service with the insight of our frontline staff and input from residents.  

 

33.          Councillor Fishleigh- More Recycling, Less Waste- A new collection model 

 

Reviewing and improving existing based on feedback from our own drivers and loaders alongside councillors isn’t a difficult or time-consuming piece of work. Why isn’t this happening anyway as a standard operational procedure? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

This is happening as a matter of routine. Regular meetings take place with crews to share important information and provide an opportunity for crews to feedback. 

This was demonstrated when implementing the new collective in cab digital system where regular feedback has been taken to improve data and use of the system.   

The larger task of round redesign is now more feasibly since we have the digital system in place across the service. 

 

34.          Councillor Fishleigh- More Recycling, Less Waste- A new collection model 

 

Last year when additional items were added to the recycling capacity, I was told that every household would receive a leaflet. However, as far as I know and certainly not in the area I represent, this didn’t happen. Why don’t you try a campaign to raise awareness before agreeing to spend money on researching a new collection model? 

 

Response: Cllr Rowkins

 

All households will receive an updated recycling leaflet raising awareness on the new pots, tubs and trays, which were added in June 2025. Household with food waste in place, have already received these leaflets as they were inserted in the food waste caddies for phases 1, 2 & 3 (East, North & West). We are continuing to deliver the leaflets to those phase 4 Central area as part of the rollout so that all households will have received this information by the end of next month.  

We will be adding further materials (cartons and foil) to recycling collections in 2026, and once that is in place we will be doing a focussed communications campaign aimed at driving up participation and reducing contamination. 

 

35.          Councillor West- Sussex and Brighton devolution and Mayoral election 

 

It is very regrettable that the Cabinet took the gung-ho decision to enter the city into the Government's fast track for a combined mayoral authority in Sussex. The overly hasty process has severely limited meaningful public engagement and a well-considered and inclusive approach to decision making. The best advice was that rather than rushing Devolution and the accompanying drive for Local Government Re-organisation, together these processes would need to take much longer to get right. The Government has finally caught up with this thinking and now the project is in a complete mess. It was very poor and inappropriate judgement of the Executive to put political pride before good governance. Will the Leader of the Council show responsibility for this fiasco and resign? 

 

Response: Cllr Sankey

 

What an interesting question Cllr West. What exactly is it you find regrettable about a 30 year investment fund totalling £1.14bn, with the first tranche of £15.2m to be released immediately following the creation of the Combined County Authority.  

This funding to be spent on locally agreed priorities that will come to Brighton and Sussex as a result of this Cabinet’s forward-thinking and progressive decision-making. What is regrettable about the fact that 40% of that fund comes online from May of this year when we together with East and West Sussex establish the new strategic authority. 

What’s regrettable about the fact that our relationship with Government has been strengthened as a result of this forward-thinking and progressive decision so much so that Minister Fahnbulleh wrote to myself and the Leaders of East and West Sussex only this week to say: As Mayoral Strategic Authorities, your new institutions will be entitled via the Devolution Framework to establish Strategic Place Partnerships (SPP) with Homes England. As part of the SPP, Homes England will work with you to develop your plans for housing and regeneration in your area, support you identify a pipeline of schemes and then co-invest into these schemes. 

I can commit that Homes England will begin this process in 2026 with the Strategic Authority in advance of a Mayor being in place. As part of this, Homes England will work with you to identify opportunities to invest the National Housing Development Fund and Social and Affordable Homes Programme in your areas. This includes providing the technical advice and support required to develop those propositions. 

What’s regrettable about new powers and money to tackle our housing crisis. What’s regrettable about having the funding and influence to unlock integrated strategic transport for the people of Brighton and Sussex. 

I don’t think any of this is regrettable, I actually think it is long overdue. Your Party did untold damage to this City with your go slow, do nothing, can’t make a decision if my life depended on it attitude. Our Labour Administration by contrast mirrors the boldness, the ambition, the history, the vision that Brighton and Hove conjours in peoples minds. 

 

36.          Councillor McLeay- Urgent Work for Incoming & Lateral Electrical Mains replacement in Council Housing 

 

Given the significant risk of electrical mains failure and the impact on heating, lighting, lifts, door entry and fire safety systems, can Cabinet confirm what contingency arrangements are in place for residents (particularly vulnerable or disabled residents) should a sudden loss of power occur before works begin? 

 

Response: Cllr Williams

 

If residents experience a sudden loss of power, they should contact the repairs emergency line. We have arranged for both our Electrical Manager and Electrical Supervisor to be on call. They are highly experienced in managing faults affecting larger installations and are in direct contact with escalation teams within UK Power Networks (UKPN) who the council will need to work with to restore power. 

Both organisations will work to restore power as quickly as possible.  We have already collated up?to?date information on residents with identified vulnerabilities within the affected blocks, enabling us to respond quickly and appropriately should a power outage occur.  Our teams will contact vulnerable residents to ensure we put in place the support they may need during any power outage. 

If power cannot be restored within a safe timeframe, we will arrange an emergency temporary move to ensure residents’ safety and wellbeing, with priority given to vulnerable or disabled occupants. 

 

37.          Councillor McLeay- Urgent Work for Incoming & Lateral Electrical Mains replacement in Council Housing 

 

What level of oversight had previously been applied to electrical safety in these blocks, and what went wrong such that these risks were only detected through recent testing? 

 

Response: Cllr Williams

 

Historically, oversight of electrical safety in these blocks focused on communal installations within the Council’s recognised areas of responsibility.  The incoming, rising, and lateral mains were long understood to be owned and managed by UK Power Networks (UKPN).  As a result, the Council reasonably believed that UKPN remained responsible for maintaining and repairing these elements of the electrical infrastructure.   

However, we noticed an emerging issue which led to The Council initiating a proactive and comprehensive testing programme, including detailed condition surveys at each site, in order to understand the state of the installations and plan for investment requirements aligned to discussion around taking over responsibility for supplies within the blocks as the Building Network Operator.  These surveys required UKPN’s involvement to isolate electrical supplies safely before testing and inspection could take place. 

It was during this more intrusive testing phase, beyond what had historically been possible, that concerns were identified with the mains previously assumed to be under UKPN’s management.  These issues have been raised with UKPN, with whom we remain in dialogue around response to the issues arising. 

We are seeking legal advice to clarify the ownership and responsibility for these mains to inform any handover to establish Brighton & Hove City Council as the Building Network Operator and to ensure responsibilities are properly defined and that similar oversights cannot occur in future. 

We want to act now to ensure residents in these 6 blocks continue to have a reliable and safe electrical supply. 

 

38.          Councillor McLeay- Urgent Work for Incoming & Lateral Electrical Mains replacement in Council Housing 

 

Has the council reviewed whether previous inspections or maintenance regimes were adequate, and if not, will responsibility be established for any failure in oversight, internally or with UKPN? 

 

Response: Cllr Williams

 

As outlined above, as part of the work to legally establish ownership and clarify responsibility for the Building Network Operator role, we will be reviewing the history of inspections and maintenance relating to these installations. This review will examine whether previous regimes were adequate and will identify any gaps or failures in oversight. 

 

39.          Councillor McLeay- Urgent Work for Incoming & Lateral Electrical Mains replacement in Council Housing 

 

How will the Council ensure that awarding contracts under urgency procedures still guarantees competitive pricing, quality workmanship, and full regulatory compliance? 

 

Response: Cllr Williams

 

Multiple contractors have been invited to provide quotations for the required works to ensure competitive pricing, even under urgency procedures. All contractors considered are accredited by NICEIC, a recognised competent persons’ scheme, that regulates who can undertake works of this nature. As part of the procurement process, we have also requested evidence of successful delivery on comparable projects to confirm capability and quality standards. 

Once works are completed, they will be subject to thorough post?inspection and testing to verify that installations meet all required safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This approach ensures that urgency does not compromise value for money, workmanship, or compliance. 

 

40.          Councillor McLeay- Urgent Work for Incoming & Lateral Electrical Mains replacement in Council Housing 

 

Given that these risks were found only because of proactive testing, what assurance can the Council provide that similar risks are not present in other buildings, particularly older high?rise blocks? 

 

Response: Cllr Williams

 

Proactive electrical testing has now been completed across all of our high?rise blocks where installations did not already have a valid (within 5 years) inspection certificate. Defects and remedial works have been prioritised and will be scheduled according to urgency, with the 6 blocks that are the subject of this report being the very highest priority. This work ensures that any similar risks in comparable buildings have been identified and either addressed, or, where further action is required, we are working with procurement to secure the necessary resources to deliver planned safety works. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to resident safety, we are now extending this programme to include mid? and low?rise blocks. Testing is being carried out in a systematic and prioritised way, and where any risks or defects are identified, we will undertake planned replacement or remedial works to ensure installations meet current safety standards. 

This approach provides assurance that we are not only responding to issues as they arise but actively identifying and mitigating risks across our housing stock, including older buildings.