A senior councillor has apologised for signing off a letter calling for powers to strip students and single dwellers of council tax discounts.

Brighton and Hove City Council sent a letter to Eric Pickles asking for changes to the system.

The letter was signed off by finance spokesman Leo Littman.

Since it was reported in The Argus, council leader Jason Kitcat said it was neither Green Party nor the administration’s aim to change the exemption for students.

Coun Littman said: “Amid a large number of other documents and decisions to be signed off I approved this technical letter, which was requested of me by a cross-party scrutiny panel.

“I should not have signed this letter without first consulting colleagues.

“We have no intention to vary council tax exemption for students or single person’s discount. Now can we focus on how to best help our city’s residents in these tough times.”

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