Agenda item - Better Brighton & Hove

Report of the Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)        Agree in principle the proposal to set up Better Brighton & Hove following the completion of due diligence processes;

2)        Delegate the power to the Chief Executive, after consultation with  the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer, to take all steps necessary or incidental to the establishment of Better Brighton & Hove;

3)        Note that the Leaders Group will receive regular progress updates as well as the work of the Trust when established.

56.1       The Committee considered a report of the Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law in relation to Better Brighton & Hove. The report proposed the establishment of a new “think tank” called “Better Brighton & Hove” for the Council and city. Better Brighton & Hove was the product of a proposal initiated by a local charity, The Pebble Trust, to create an independent “think tank” with charitable trust status to generate ideas and propose solutions to meet the challenges facing Brighton & Hove as a city. The proposal allowed the Council to access additional resources, capacity and expertise to analyse and tackle priority issues in the city. It was also updated that the proposal in the report to have an elected Member on the board would no longer be taken forward, following discussion with the three Group Leaders.

56.2       In response to a series of questions from Councillors Wealls and G. Theobald the following was explained. The proposal to set up the think tank had come from a resident in the city who recognised the challenges that the Council was facing financially, this was in the context of the organisation no longer being able to make provision for a large policy function. It was envisaged that the work of the think tank would report through the Leaders’ Group to provide Member oversight. The Council had undertaken a due diligence exercise and were confident the organisation would be able to have funds in place to support the work, and it was envisaged that having partners such as the two universities on the board would open additional funding streams. It was highlighted that the Council would not dictate the policy work that was undertaken; rather it would be able to make suggestions for the think tank to consider.

56.3       Councillor Janio welcomed the report, but was of the view that the think tank should be independent of politicians; he also had concerns that the Council would be able to choose the priorities for the work commissioned. The Chair provided assurance that, whilst the Council could make suggestions, it would be up to the board to decide what word to commission, and this would not be directed on a political criterion.

56.4       Councillor Daniel stated her view that this was an exciting opportunity and the Committee should welcome the interest to make the city a better place; this could be an invaluable resource for the Council’s Leadership Team. In response to queries it was explained that as the trust would be independent they would be will within their remit to reject ideas put forward from the Council. It was also clarified that they would not be undertaking research directly, rather commissioning it

56.5       Councillor Sykes welcomed the report, and just exercised caution that the Council should monitor its resource input.

56.6       The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote, with the agreed proposal to not have an elected Member on the board; this was carried with 9 in support and 1 abstention.

56.7       RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)        Agree in principle the proposal to set up Better Brighton & Hove following the completion of due diligence processes;

2)        Delegate the power to the Chief Executive, after consultation with  the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer, to take all steps necessary or incidental to the establishment of Better Brighton & Hove;

3)        Note that the Leaders Group will receive regular progress updates as well as the work of the Trust when established.