Agenda item - Deputations from members of the public.

A list of deputations received by the due date of 12noon on the 22^nd March, 2019 will be circulated separately as part of an addendum at the meeting.

88.1      The Mayor reported that two deputations had been received from members of the public and invited Ms. Borrill as the spokesperson for the first deputation to come forward and address the council.

88.2      Ms. Borrill thanked the Mayor and stated that “On behalf of Brighton and Food Partnership I am requesting that the city of Brighton and Hove becomes a signatory to the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.  The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact is an international voluntary agreement. There is no financial contribution needed, and no specific obligation to do anything as a result. It is a pledge, if you like, with the core message that we will seek to develop “sustainable food systems that are inclusive, resilient, safe and diverse.”  It was initially signed by over 100 international cities in Milan in 2015, and now has been signed by 181 cities. The existing UK signatories are London, Birmingham and Bristol.

We are recommending that Brighton & Hove becomes a signatory as the aims and ethos closely reflect the city’s existing approach, as set out in our city-wide Food Strategy, and our city’s vision of developing a ‘healthy, sustainable fair food for all.’ Becoming a signatory will add value and prestige to our existing local activity and be a chance to promote it to a wider audience.  Signing up will also support our city’s bid to become the first Gold Sustainable Food City in the UK, which we are on track to achieve in 2020.

Finally, becoming a signatory will showcase our city’s approach and achievements to an international audience. With 200 actions and 100 partners, and with cross-party support, our city’s Food Strategy Action Plan has been described by Sustainable Food cities as the most ambitious example of a food partnership approach in the UK. Indeed, we are sometimes asked why, given our leading global position on a joined-up citywide approach to food, Brighton & Hove is not already a signatory.

Thank you for your consideration.”

88.3      Councillor Mitchell thanked Ms. Borrill for presenting the deputation and for all the work with the Food Partnership in raising awareness and helping to tackle social inclusion.  She noted that may of the proposals outlined were already part of the citywide Food Strategy and she hoped that these and the others would be taken forward and that a report could be brought to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee in June in relation to the deputation and the suggestion to sign up to the Milan Pact.

88.4      The Mayor thanked Ms. Borrill for attending the meeting and speaking on behalf of the deputation. She explained that the points had been noted and the deputation would be referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee on the 25^th June for consideration. The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.

88.5      The Mayor then invited Mr. Stack as the spokesperson for the second deputation to come forward and address the council.

88.6      Mr. Stack thanked the Mayor and stated, he had circulated information to all councillors prior to the meeting and noted that he had previously attended a council meeting to seek support and a willingness from the council to work with him and other local music venues.  He stated that Grassroots Brighton & Hove was a new organisation which had come together in the hope to make a collaborative association for the benefit of all.  Its objective was to provide a focal point and facilities to foster greater local community activity and bring residents, the local business community, artists and smaller organisations together to improve the quality of life in Brighton & Hove.  It offered strong working relationships with other local community services and a base for outreach and signposting people to other local services.  He noted that Live music in Brighton generated an estimated £112m per annum for the local economy and was an essential force in giving the city its dynamic and vibrant edge.  This deputation sought to make councillors and council staff aware the unique and pivotal role that Grassroots Brighton & Hove undertakes, our important role as community hubs and what we will now bring to the city as a formal association.  He hoped that the council would now work with the organisation to support local venues and help to ensure their viability and the city’s economy.

88.7      Councillor Robins thanked Mr. Stack for attending the meeting and acknowledged the role of music venues in the city.  He welcomed the fact that the local live music organisations and stakeholders were coming together in partnership, to support each other and to help grow and sustain the industry in this city.  He noted that was why the Live Music Venue Roundtable was set up, in response to a petition that you yourself brought to this meeting some years ago.  As the Roundtable included elected members, council officers and stakeholders from across the live music industry in the city, including yourself, it would therefore be the ideal place to bring your Grassroots Brighton & Hove Action Plan and discuss your ideas.  The next meeting was in June and he wanted to thank Mr. stack for his continued enthusiasm for live music in the city and looked forward to hearing progress about this from the Roundtable.

88.8      The Mayor thanked Mr. Stack for attending the meeting and speaking on behalf of the deputation. She explained that the points had been noted and the deputation would be referred to the Tourism, Development & Culture Committee on the 20^th June for consideration. The persons forming the deputation would be invited to attend the meeting and would be informed subsequently of any action to be taken or proposed in relation to the matter set out in the deputation.