Agenda item - Discrimination against the elderly

Proposed by Councillor Bagaeen on behalf of the Conservative Group.

28.1     The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Bagaeen on behalf of the Conservative Group and formally seconded by Councillor Theobald.

28.2     The Mayor noted that there were two amendments in relation to this motion as set out in the addendum papers.

28.3     Councillor Stevens moved the first amendment on behalf of the Labour Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Alexander.

28.4     The Mayor congratulated Councillor Stevens on their maiden speech on behalf of the council.

28.5     Councillor Fishleigh moved the second amendment on behalf of the Brighton & Hove Independents Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Earthey.

28.6     The Mayor congratulated Councillor Earthey on their maiden speech on behalf of the council.

28.7      Councillors Shanks and Atkinson spoke on the matter.

28.8     Councillor Bagaeen confirmed that they would accept the Brighton & Hove Independent the amendments.

28.9     The Mayor then put motion as amended by the Brighton & Hove Independents Group to the vote which was lost.

28.10   The Mayor then put the Labour Group amendment to the vote which was carried.

28.11   The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

            “Council notes;

1.That four in ten people who died of Covid 19 in Brighton and Hove were care home residents.

2.The government’s mismanagement of the Covid crisis and whose strategy of discharging people from hospital to care homes contributed to the tragic loss of life.

3. The administration’s clear commitment to providing additional housing for seniors in Brighton & Hove

4. The Administration’s swift action to re-open public toilets across the City to ensure that residents can use our public spaces, especially our elderly residents who may need to use toilet facilities more frequently

5. Notes the Administration’s swift action to scrap planned increases in parking charges from low to high tariff in four zones across the City which would have had a disproportionate impact on elderly residents

6. A 28% increase in the Brighton & Hove 65+ population is expected in 2030 – from 38,300 to 50,100.

7. This administration has appointed a lead member for aging well whose responsibility is to champion our senior residents.

Council resolves to:

8.  Continue to honour our commitment to true equality

9.  Support the lead for aging well to listen to, and consult with, older people in the City, and to work closely and regularly with local older people’s groups and organisations.”

28.12   The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried.