WE REMAIN in uncertain times. Whether it be public health and the impact on the economy and the most vulnerable in our society, inequality, the climate emergency, homelessness or funding for local authorities to deliver essential services.

Have you been listening to the BBC’s Rethinking The Future series? If you get time, go online, have a look at the little videos which are thought provoking. The first one asks if the coronavirus crisis is a chance to reset the world. It’s about three minutes long and takes you through history and times of crisis that produced great and positive change.

We are going to be working jointly with The Argus to run some similar think pieces focused on our own city and I would interested to hear from you about the change you think should come out of the current crisis. More about this next week.

Meanwhile, back at the virtual town hall, we have been busy. The council has worked with local business leaders to pay out the £3.6 million allocated for the discretionary grant fund. This has provided vital support to 304 of our local businesses, however the demand far exceeded the funds available.

We are disappointed that we are now having to inform more than 600 businesses that the help they are seeking cannot be provided. But we are not giving up. Together with the Chamber of Commerce, Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, the Federation of Small Businesses, our two universities, GB Met and a range of business partners in the city we have written a joint letter to government to ask again for dispensation to use the unallocated sums from other grants to help more local businesses survive.

It’s been a big week for Brighton and Hove, as many of our hotels, restaurants, pubs and attractions have reopened. Seeing more of our city coming back to life and knowing that our businesses can finally begin trading is a really welcome step. Every small business has taken personal sacrifice to get off the ground, so we share in the relief of many business owners who have been able to open their doors again.

Already, many seafront hotels are fully booked and restaurants are expected to be busy with extra visitors. We’re used to sharing our city and are renowned for our warm welcome. In a typical year, we can expect to see up to 11 million visitors come to Brighton and Hove. They are a valued part of the city’s vibrant make-up and contribute hugely to its diverse personality and year-round buzz. They also support thousands of jobs and contribute an estimated £850 million to the local economy annually.

We are continuing to do all we can to keep the city safe for businesses to reopen and to welcome visitors back. These temporary measures have included widening pavements, closing roads and installing signage.

As part of our commitment to becoming an anti-racist city, I am pleased to announce that, together with other major institutions, we are planning to introduce a civic leadership programme. People from under-represented black and minority ethnic communities will have the opportunity through mentoring, shadowing and academic studies to gain experience in the working of the council and other civic and private organisations in the city.

We continue to face significant costs and income losses from the public health crisis, as well as growing pressures on services. The requirement to achieve further substantial savings, and uncertainties over funding in future years means we are facing an estimated deficit for 2020/21 in the range of £17 million to £39 million.

The recent Government funding announcement is welcome but unfortunately will not make a significant dent.

We will be doing our best to manage prudently and keep the deficit as low as we can but let’s hope we get the support we need from the Government in the autumn spending review.

There is no escaping the fact that a national strategy is needed to provide a long-term solution to end homelessness and rough sleeping in this country and we have written jointly with the Green Party to central Government making this case.

We set out our proposed solutions including adopting the Housing First model nationally with funding provided for addiction rehab and wrap-around support plus capital funding for the purchase of buildings.

At a local level, we are setting up a homelessness reduction board.

I have confidence that the local measures it outlines will help reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in the city if we get the action from Government we have asked for.