Councillors will be urged to delay the start of their meetings to "remove barriers" which may be preventing younger people from putting themselves forward for election.

A motion to be debated at a Brighton and Hove City Council meeting on Thursday claims the council is currently underrepresented by people of working age, women, ethnic minority groups and full or part-time workers.

The average age of its 54 councillors is 57 - significantly higher than the average age of city residents, which is 38. Two-thirds of elected members are retired, economically inactive or self-employed.

Many of the council's weekly committee meetings currently take place during the day. Starting times vary from 9.30am to 2pm, 4.30pm and 5pm.

Last month a cross-party group of councillors called for the council to follow the lead of London boroughs and start meetings no earlier than 6pm.

A motion proposed by Green Party Councillor Bill Randall notes the "reluctance of employers, especially in the private sector, to offer flexible working hours to enable participation as elected members".

It reads: "The composition of (the council's) workforce and its elected membership should seek to reflect the wider community it serves.

"It should strive, where possible, to remove barriers that may prevent citizens from participating as elected members.

"Accordingly this council welcomes measures designed to encourage under-represented groups from participating in public life."

Coun Randall said: "It is essential we do everything we can to ensure that all sections of the community and all ages are represented on the council if we are to get a balanced view to take the city forward."

Labour councillor Craig Turton said: "This is not just about enabling more people from a greater diversity of backgrounds to become councillors but about increasing public participation at council meetings."