A MEETING has been held to confirm who will be leading the council for the coming year - with numbers restricted due to coronavirus.

The pandemic meant that just 14 out of 54 councillors could attend the annual council meeting on Thursday, regarded as one of the key moments in the municipal year.

However, those who could not attend were still able to observe the meeting at Hove Town Hall where the political leadership was ratified for the coming 12 months.

Green councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty remains the leader of the council, having taken over in July last year when his party became the largest group.

Councillor Mac Cafferty said that it was an “honour and privilege” but warned of the challenges of Covid-19 and the looming climate crisis.

He said: “We stand ready to serve our great city. We have a vibrant, bubbling, amazing city and I am hungry for us to reach for every opportunity to continue our success.

"There are still challenges ahead and we continue to push for the strongest support for those in need to help our local economy recover and bring down infections.

“I look forward to working cross-party across this chamber to put our city first and do the very best for all our residents and businesses despite the enormous challenges of the pandemic.”

Councillor Mac Cafferty said that there was a way to go until the pandemic was beaten but people needed to stay safe.

He thanked all those who had followed the Covid-19 guidelines “from the bottom of his heart” for washing their hands, wearing masks and making space for others.

The Argus: The city continues to be on guard against Covid-19The city continues to be on guard against Covid-19

His colleagues Hannah Clare and Sue Shanks will continue in their roles as deputy leaders of the council.

While Labour councillors John Allcock and Carmen Appich will share the leader of the opposition role, spending half the year each in the post, with Councillor Allcock leading for the first six months.

Their party colleague Councillor Amanda Evans will serve as the deputy leader of the opposition.

Councillor Steve Bell continues as the leader of the Conservative group, with councillors Robert Nemeth and Dee Simson as his deputies.

The council has created a new health and wellbeing board adult social care sub-committee, with Green councillor Sarah Nield expected to take the chair.

Newly elected Green councillor Zoë John, who won the Hollingdean and Stanmer by-election, joins the children, young people and skills committee as deputy chair.

And Conservative councillor Anne Meadows, who won the Patcham by-election, also joins the children, young people and skills committee. she will have a seat on the housing committee and speak for her party on the audit and standards committee.

A change in the law to allow virtual voting has now lapsed however social distancing rules are still being observed.

This means that the numbers attending Brighton and Hove City Council meetings in person will be limited – at least for the next few months.