VIDEO: Brighton and Hove City Council budget announcement

Brighton and Hove City Council's budget proposals for next year are announced today (Thursday, December 1).

Follow the proposals with The Argus's live stream video and Tweets from reporter Tim Ridgway using the hashtag #bhbudget.

Latest update:

Labour reaction

Labour councillor for finance, Les Hamilton, said: "“The Greens’ budget reflects more broken promises on top level council pay and a failure to make the organisational changes needed to make the council more efficient.

“Instead they want residents to pay for their failures with a 10.5% council tax increase over three years while refusing the government money on offer to freeze the level of tax to help hard-pressed families and are squeezing £1.3m more from residents and local businesses in parking fee increases.

“We will be scrutinising every aspect of the Greens’ Tory style cuts budget and making alternative proposals to deliver a better outcome for the people of the city.”

Tim Ridgway reports as part of plans to save £35 million over two years the Greens confirm 120 jobs are at risk.

Housing

Bill Randall said the Greens proposed to revive plans to provide housing in Circus Street, after he was asked about the need for more homes in the city.

When asked how the Greens were involving opposition parties when formulating the budget, Jason Kitcat says they have involved all groups "from the start".

Public debate

When asked about the likelihood of changes to the budget, Jason Kitcat states it is likely to change before a final decision is made, but the authority would like to hear from as many people as possible.

"We are providing as much information as possible and we will be taking the budget to residents."

Jason Kitcat says because of uncertainty the administration is opting for a two-year plan for sustainable long-term reorganisation.

Essential services

Bill Randall explains the council proposes bringing different services together to address complex issues such as child poverty. He hopes the Greens can "do a good job for the city".

When asked about service charges councillor Jason Kitcat said there will be some changes but the council wants to protect vital services for vulnerable people. He particularly cited youth services, the community and voluntary sector.

Council leader Bill Randall says the authority has introduced a living wage and the executive took a voluntary pay cut, in response to a question about pay.

Proposed increases

Councillor Jason Kitcat says the increase the Green propose is less than any under recent Labour administration, and less than or equal to any under the Tories.

The authority plans to make £32million in efficiency savings without impacting on staff wages. Most of the reductions will be made through 'natural wastage' and managing vacant posts.

Transparency

Councillor Jason Kitcat states the Green administration believes in openness and transparency. He states the previous Conservative administration planned a 2.5% increase over three years, whereas the Green propose 3.5%.

Council leader Bill Randall announces the authority's plan for "a fair budget for tough times".

Brighton and Hove City Council budget 2012/13

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Comments(27)

s&k says...
11:46am Thu 1 Dec 11

Pork William wrote:
No doubt money will have to be put aside to pay for '5-homes' Lucas to fly back and forth between the UK and her beloved EU spiritual homeland in Brussels...
Here we go... can anyone actually corroborate if Caroline Lucas has 5 homes?

brunswick2019 says...
11:47am Thu 1 Dec 11

s&k wrote:
Pork William wrote:
No doubt money will have to be put aside to pay for '5-homes' Lucas to fly back and forth between the UK and her beloved EU spiritual homeland in Brussels...
Here we go... can anyone actually corroborate if Caroline Lucas has 5 homes?
None other than Cllr. Jason Kitcat has verified this...

Diaper Sector says...
11:49am Thu 1 Dec 11

Pork William wrote:
No doubt money will have to be put aside to pay for '5-homes' Lucas to fly back and forth between the UK and her beloved EU spiritual homeland in Brussels...
Will the Greens leave money aside to build Caroline Lucas's proposed UFO research centre in Brighton?

jimbobmaginty says...
12:18pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Are all of you that voted Green happy now? An inexperienced tree hugging party that is going to ruin this city before the next elections!

Artificial says...
12:26pm Thu 1 Dec 11

There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.

Pork William says...
12:32pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Artificial wrote:
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
1) Cllr. Jason Kitcat has confirmed that Lucas and her husband Richard Savage own five properties, two of which are located in Brussels. 2) Independent witnesses have on multiple time on Argus forums (and other areas) confirmed that they were literally feet away from Caroline Lucas when on the night the Greens were elected, she expressed her wish to make Brighton the premier centre for UFO research

brunswick2019 says...
12:38pm Thu 1 Dec 11

A few weeks ago 'Brussels' Lucas was at the Occupy Brighton camp, and gave a speech in which she said that capitalism was (quote) "a failed monetary system" (unquote).

Is this the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Caroline Lucas and her husband to own five properties?

Surely it couldn't be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed 'Brussels' Lucas's husband Richard Savage to become a millionaire via his business dealings?

No, this couldn't possibly be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Lucas to send her tow children to one of the most expensive and exclusive private schools in Brussels...

brunswick2019 says...
12:42pm Thu 1 Dec 11

brunswick2019 wrote:
A few weeks ago 'Brussels' Lucas was at the Occupy Brighton camp, and gave a speech in which she said that capitalism was (quote) "a failed monetary system" (unquote).

Is this the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Caroline Lucas and her husband to own five properties?

Surely it couldn't be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed 'Brussels' Lucas's husband Richard Savage to become a millionaire via his business dealings?

No, this couldn't possibly be the same 'failed monetary system' that has allowed Lucas to send her tow children to one of the most expensive and exclusive private schools in Brussels...
Sorry for the typo fail; that should be two children, not tow children...

Diaper Sector says...
12:50pm Thu 1 Dec 11

If the Greens bring in their proposal of refuse collection ONCE A MONTH across Brighton, they'll be kicked-out of office long before the next election

Pork William says...
12:53pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Lets not forget that Caroline Lucas is a member and supporter of 'No Borders', a pro-mass immigration group

papa_melons says...
12:56pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Pork William wrote:
Artificial wrote:
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
1) Cllr. Jason Kitcat has confirmed that Lucas and her husband Richard Savage own five properties, two of which are located in Brussels. 2) Independent witnesses have on multiple time on Argus forums (and other areas) confirmed that they were literally feet away from Caroline Lucas when on the night the Greens were elected, she expressed her wish to make Brighton the premier centre for UFO research
didn't Hitler also whisper to Hermann Goering that he was going to conquer the world ?

papa_melons says...
12:59pm Thu 1 Dec 11

I think I now hold the record for fastest comment removal, which is odd, as it was relevant.......

Pork William says...
1:02pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Diaper Sector wrote:
If the Greens bring in their proposal of refuse collection ONCE A MONTH across Brighton, they'll be kicked-out of office long before the next election
WHAT? Half of Brighton looks like a Third-World slum and we have rubbish collection twice a week!

If council tax is going up, why are the Greens reducing rubbish collection to once a month?

jimbobmaginty says...
1:28pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Pork William wrote:
Diaper Sector wrote: If the Greens bring in their proposal of refuse collection ONCE A MONTH across Brighton, they'll be kicked-out of office long before the next election
WHAT? Half of Brighton looks like a Third-World slum and we have rubbish collection twice a week! If council tax is going up, why are the Greens reducing rubbish collection to once a month?
That’s always been the plan no? Take more from us and provide less of a service?

They are all dodgy!!
If you pay a company for a service and they don’t provide the advertised service you can complain and get some form of compensation right? Whether it be a month’s free service or even money off your next bill. Yet when I tried this with the council they have their own special laws in place to stop you claiming. Funny that!!

If this happens ill start dumping my rubbish outside the council offices!

Diaper Sector says...
1:31pm Thu 1 Dec 11

jimbobmaginty wrote:
Pork William wrote:
Diaper Sector wrote: If the Greens bring in their proposal of refuse collection ONCE A MONTH across Brighton, they'll be kicked-out of office long before the next election
WHAT? Half of Brighton looks like a Third-World slum and we have rubbish collection twice a week! If council tax is going up, why are the Greens reducing rubbish collection to once a month?
That’s always been the plan no? Take more from us and provide less of a service?

They are all dodgy!!
If you pay a company for a service and they don’t provide the advertised service you can complain and get some form of compensation right? Whether it be a month’s free service or even money off your next bill. Yet when I tried this with the council they have their own special laws in place to stop you claiming. Funny that!!

If this happens ill start dumping my rubbish outside the council offices!
I'll be joining you!

Sarah Booker says...
2:04pm Thu 1 Dec 11

papa_melons wrote:
I think I now hold the record for fastest comment removal, which is odd, as it was relevant.......
No comments of yours were removed from this thread.

localboy78 says...
4:02pm Thu 1 Dec 11

OMG please please can we (Hove) split away from Brighton & Hove. We want our own borough back with our own borough council like we used to have. We don't want to be part of Brighton & Hove any more (we never actually did in the first place!) especially with this nightmare council!

Bring back Hove Borough Council!

Andre Spooner says...
4:04pm Thu 1 Dec 11

I have noted with great alarm the comments from some people on this thread regarding the removal of Brighton's unique UFO centre, and I am concerned that we will be losing our competitive advantage. What can be more magical than the day when a young Brightonian (or Hovator, for that matter) is first shown round the secret UFO bunker beneath the town hall, where various notable relics of Brighton's extraterrestrial past are displayed in an enchanting exhibition. I was fortunate enough in my youth to visit this (along with my then juvenile Mighty Horse) and see some of the delights - the Great Pointy Clawed Hand that was retrieved from the West Pier after the Inflatable UFO Commotion of 1953, the eerie Double-Rotational Disk that was unearthed on the Downs in 1971, carrying Martian inscriptions, which is UNCANNILY EXACTLY THE SAME SHAPE as the new Falmer stadium. Not to mention the peculiar shape of the glorious King Alfred's leisure centre, which EXACTLY PARALLELS the mysterious "pyramids on Mars".

I understand that these are tough economic times, but for Brighton to ignore its rich alien heritage at such a crucial point would be to take actions similar to the Smoking Man in notable TV series, Quantum Leap. I believe I speak for both myself and my Mighty Horse when I assert here - I WANT TO BELIEVE. Can someone please reassure me that amidst this perfect fiscal storm, the Truth really is Out There?

Mo.StGrumble says...
4:55pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Come on KitCat - gives us a break.

Diaper Sector says...
5:07pm Thu 1 Dec 11

I am informed by a friend who is rather high up in the Lib-Dem hierarchy that there are serious murmurs of a vote of no confidence against Lucas and the Greens. Apparently even the Conservatives and Labour are cozying-up in a bid to give Lucas and her Marxist loons a 'black eye'

AmboGuy says...
5:39pm Thu 1 Dec 11

My friend lives in Brussels, does that mean he can help vote her out as she's more of a local over there than she is here.

Mr. Milde says...
7:58pm Thu 1 Dec 11

To the stupid out there the police have dropped the case which is not the same as he did not do it . If you don't understand get your social worker to explain it to you.

Servalan says...
8:53pm Thu 1 Dec 11

s&k wrote:
Pork William wrote:
No doubt money will have to be put aside to pay for '5-homes' Lucas to fly back and forth between the UK and her beloved EU spiritual homeland in Brussels...
Here we go... can anyone actually corroborate if Caroline Lucas has 5 homes?
Yes because B&HCC pay Caroline Lucas' travel expenses, don't they? lol

How much do the Labour Party pay you to work as a "junior researcher", Pork William? I hope you get the minimum wage...

Servalan says...
8:54pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Artificial wrote:
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
They work for the Labour or Tory parties, silly. It's part of their 'political strategy' on a 'key marginal' to get the Argus to publish their cut-and-paste drivel.

brunswick2019 says...
10:06pm Thu 1 Dec 11

Servalan wrote:
Artificial wrote:
There is no reference anywhere on the internet about Caroline Lucas and a UFO centre other than comments here and blogs about comments here. I also have to say Caroline Lucas has responded to every email I have sent her, but then I include my name and address proving I live in the constituency. I didn't vote for her, but at least she appears to be doing her job. I've also seen her around Brighton. So, I suggest the UFO, five homes Brussels spouters are just making themselves look stupid.
They work for the Labour or Tory parties, silly. It's part of their 'political strategy' on a 'key marginal' to get the Argus to publish their cut-and-paste drivel.
It's also creepy Green party members and supporters who post pro-Green comments using different account names, such as 'The Baron Of Beef' and 'Sir Loin Of Pork'.

Joshiman says...
11:35am Fri 2 Dec 11

Laughing stock and so are their naive havent a clue middle class middleaged hippies and students.
What is the matter with the weak Tories and labourites.Have you really lost your bottle ?

Bucket feet Duffy says...
1:15am Thu 8 Dec 11

Unfortunate I know but the Green Party are a compete joke which reflects on the City, I travel all over the uk on business and as yet not heard one positive comment about the party except is Kitcat related to the Cadbury family!! I usually reply to this, with a yes they make the chocolate tea pots! Enough said, a joke! If they remain in office they will turn Brighton into a Mega Hastings.

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