Agenda item - Response to the Report of the Fairness Commission

Report of the Executive Lead Officer, Strategy, Governance and Law (copy attached) together with an extract of the proceedings of the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee meeting held on 28 November 2016 (to follow).

That the Committee agreed the response to the Fairness Commission recommendations set out in Appendix 1 to this report and authorises Officers to take all steps necessary or incidental to the implementation of the responses where resources.

88.1         The Committee considered a report of the Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law in relation to Response to the Report of the Fairness Commission. The Chair noted that the report had been considered by the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee, as set out in the associated extract from that meeting. The report presented the Council’s response to the recommendations of the Brighton & Hove Fairness Commission.

88.2         Councillor Daniel addressed the Committee at the Chair’s invitation in her capacity as the Chair of the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee. She stated that the report had been considered by the cross-party working group, and had been unanimously supported when it was considered by the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee. The Fairness Commission had met over a period of nine months; heard from residents and considered data to make the city a fairer place to live and work. They had worked in the context of the challenging budgetary position and put forward recommendations to transform policy and makes things fairer. Councillor Daniel highlighted the work that was already taking place in relation to ‘poverty proofing the school day’.

88.3         In response to Councillor Sykes it was clarified that £150K had been budgeted over the next two years.

88.4         Councillor G. Theobald commended the report, but he had concerns with proceeding with the poverty proofing work as he felt it could be to the detriment of other pieces of work that were being undertaken inside and outside of the Council, he was not convinced that this proposal would be the best of use of resources, and noted that the Conservative Group would be abstaining from the vote.

88.5         Councillor Wealls highlighted some of the work and provision that was already in place for disadvantaged children in the city, and noted there was already dedicated spending from funds such as the pupil premium. In response Councillor Daniel stated that this scheme was an important means to ensure those running schools heard about how poorer children were affected, the proposed training was designed to be supportive; it would be a one off spend with a lasting legacy.

88.6         Councillor A. Norman stated that in her experience as a school governor schools were already undertaking a lot of proactive work in relation to children in poverty; she noted that some schools needed much more than others, but felt an action plan was not necessary for all schools. Councillor Daniel replied that this recommendation had been unanimously supported by the working group and at the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee.

88.7         Councillor Bewick highlighted that the report made it clear than any recommendations were subject to further agreement of funding allocations at Budget Council. He noted that the proposal in the report was a ‘spend to save’ initiative, and the Council should be doing everything within its power to support low-income families.

88.8         In response to Councillor Janio the Monitoring Officer confirmed there would be no more spend above what was already agreed, as set out in the report.

88.9         Councillor Mac Cafferty highlighted that the work of Fairness Commission built on a number of initiatives that had been started under the previous Green Administration. He highlighted that the Green Group were fully in support of the report and the work of the Commission.

88.10      The Chair proposed an amendment that the words ‘within the scope of the agreed budget or where resources allow’ be added to the recommendation.

88.11      The proposed amendment was seconded by Councillor Mitchell.

88.12      The Chair put the proposed amendment to the vote. This was carried with 6 in support and 4 abstentions.

88.13      The Chair the put the amended recommendation to the vote. This was carried with 6 in support and 6 abstentions.

88.14      RESOLVED - That the Committee agreed the response to the Fairness Commission recommendations set out in Appendix 1 to this report and authorises Officers to take all steps necessary or incidental to the implementation of the responses within the scope of the agreed budget or where resources allow.