Agenda item - Member Involvement

To consider the following matters raised by councillors:

(a)      Petitions: to receive any petitions submitted to the full Council or at the meeting itself;

(b)      Written Questions: to consider any written questions;

(c)      Letters: to consider any letters;

1.    Councillor Mac Cafferty

International Women’s Day Commemoration - Blue Plaque

(d)      Notices of Motion: to consider any Notices of Motion referred from Council or submitted directly to the Committee.

112.1International Women’s Day Commemoration – Blue Plaque

The Committee considered a Letter from Councillor Mac Cafferty asking the Committee to look at options to commemorate the movement for women’s votes through a blue plaque. Councillor Mac Cafferty

112.2The Chair provided the following response:

Whilst the Brighton Blue Plaque scheme is overseen by the Brighton & Hove Commemorative Plaque Panel (BHCPP), and therefore is not within our direct control, I am sure all concerned will agree that it would be appropriate to mark the centenary and am happy to propose that we ask the Chief Executive to write a letter in support of the proposal for a commemorative blue plaque at the Quadrant, next to the Clock Tower. The city archives, held at The Keep, and collections at Royal Pavilion & Museums, contain a rich seam of information concerning the suffragette and suffragist activities in Brighton & Hove, and officers will investigate and bring forward recommendations to the committee concerning possible locations and people whose contributions should be recognised as suggested. The Royal Pavilion & Museums service is already marking the centenary with a series of blogs telling the stories of the suffragette movement in Brighton. The most prominent Brighton suffragette was Minnie Turner, and her boarding house at 13-14 Victoria Road might, for example, be an appropriate site for a plaque.

Depending on the approval of the BHCPP and the practicalities, we would hope that a plaque could be installed during the centenary year, and officers will bring a report back to this committee to consider how we can further highlight and recognise these important stories.

112.3Councillor Robins said that rather than having a plaque to commemorate a movement, that there be a number of plaques to celebrate individuals, and suggested that a group be set up to look at the options.

112.4Councillor Janio said he supported the proposals.

112.5Councillor Mitchell said she supported the installation of a plaque/s, and the suggestion to set up a group to look at the different options.

112.6  RESOLVED: That the letter be noted and a report be brought back to the Committee.