Brighton council: Two Green councillors to stand down

Councillor Elaine Hills, the joint chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, and Councillor David Gibson, the joint chair of the housing committee, both confirmed they will not run for re-election on Brighton and Hove City Council.

The pair both currently represent the Hanover and Elm Grove ward and will remain in post until May.

Cllr Gibson, who has served on the council since 2015, said: “I have loved serving Hanover and Elm Grove and will miss it all, but I am looking forward to a rest.

“I spent all of my eight years on the housing committee to help achieve a reduction in rough sleeping numbers in the city and to deliver 250 additional council homes including more and more truly affordable homes.

“Looking back, I am also pleased as finance lead to have created the warmer homes fund to have created the warmer homes fund and expanded carbon neutral funding towards tackling the climate emergency challenge facing future generations.”

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Cllr Hills, who was first elected at the last local election in 2019, said: “In my four years as a councillor, our city has faced some of the hardest times, but we did it together.

“I am proud of our community and the steps I’ve taken to make our streets safer and our water cleaner.”

Councillor Steph Powell, who has led the council’s anti-racism efforts as the co-chair of the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, will re-stand in the ward later this year.

She said: “Being a ward councillor is incredibly rewarding - from supporting residents with local issues to making big policy changes on the council in the most challenging of times.”

Wai Lee, Fiona Wright and Steph Powell will run for election in Hanover and Elm Grove at the election in May (Image: Green Party)

Cllr Powell will run as a candidate for the Green Party in the local elections in May, along with Wai Lee and Fiona Wright.

Wai Lee, who has worked for several years in higher education and specialises in housing and facilities management, said: “I am passionate about equality and equity for all, social justice and anti-discrimination in the workplace and look forward to making positive change and meaningful change for Hanover and Elm Grove.”

Senior public health doctor Fiona Wright said: “My work has always been about advocating for social justice and equality as I have seen the unjust impact that poor housing, financial hardship and the environment can have on health and wellbeing.

“Now that I am semi-retired, I have the time and energy to fight for public services and make a difference in my local community.”