Over the past two weeks, since the proposal by the Greens for a referendum on a 4.75% increase in council tax, Labour and Co-operative councillors, along with newly-selected candidates, have spoken to hundreds of residents, the vast majority of whom have said they would not support a £6 a month increase.

By putting this forward, the Greens are absolving themselves of making the decisions expected of them. That’s why we proposed the vote of no confidence last week. A 4.75% increase would hurt the vulnerable and low-paid, struggling with the rising cost of living thanks to the Government.

£230,000 needs to be found for the referendum as well as money to issue new tax bills if the city votes no, as a recent Argus poll suggests.

We cannot support these proposals and are united behind group leader Warren Morgan following a unanimous vote of all Labour councillors.

We would support a below-inflation rise in council tax to fund a sensible budget giving priority to saving essential services in social care, on which some in our community rely.

We cannot stand by while the Greens play politics with people’s lives, nor while residents are asked to pay the costs of Conservative cuts.

Councillor Jeane Lepper on behalf of all members of the Labour and Co-operative Group, Brighton and Hove City Council