CONCERNS about the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid has seen the full meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council cancelled.

The public part of Brighton and Hove City Council’s meet will still take place today as only the lead councillors are required to answer questions.

A special council meeting will take place in January to cover the general business.

An email sent to councillors said: “Following the advice from the chief medical officer for England regarding the rapid increase in infection rates and the need to take extra precautions, as well as the advice from the council’s director of public health, the Mayor, having consulted with group leaders and whips, has decided not to proceed with the full council meeting that was due to start at 6.30pm this afternoon.

“We understand that other local authorities have taken similar measures.

“All the items that were on the agenda, with the exception of the petition for debate on school admissions, which will be dealt with in the public engagement session. will be withdrawn and carried forward to the next meeting of full council.

“Some of them may have to be decided before the end of January, so we will explore a suitable date for a special council meeting in January to deal with all or some of the items that were on the agenda for today’s meeting.

“We will liaise with group leaders and whips about the best arrangements.”

Three petitions by parents at primary schools calling on councillors not to reduce the admissions next year will still go forward for debate.

Each petitioner has three minutes to make their case, and no time limit has been set on the debate as the council will take all three petitions together.

Campaigners at Carden, Woodingdean and Bevendean Primary Schools were concerned they would not get their 15 minutes each when the Mayor, councillor Alan Robins, decided the council would hear the three petitions together.

Public and councillors’ questions will also be heard during the meeting, along with deputations and petitions which did not receive enough support to secure a debate.

The hybrid meeting at Hove Town Hall and via Teams software is due to start at 4.30pm.

It is due to be webcast on the council website.