Greens name new Brighton and Hove council leader

Brighton and Hove Greens have chosen Jason Kitcat to be the next leader of the council.

At 33, Councillor Kitcat will become one of the youngest council leaders in the country. He is already the second youngest member of Brighton and Hove City Council and currently serves as the cabinet member for finance and central services.

He will replace Bill Randall as convenor of the Greens in May when Councillor Randall steps down as council leader to become the Mayor of Brighton and Hove.

Councillor Kitcat was elected unopposed. It is technically possible for Labour and the Conservatives to block his appointment as leader of the council as they can outvote the Greens. They are not expected to do so.

The Greens are also electing new deputies, with Councillors Geoffrey Bowden, Lizzie Deane and Christina Summers vying for the post of deputy leader (internal relations). The current holder is Councillor Ian Davey.

Councillor Ben Duncan is standing for deputy leader (external relations) against two candidates hoping to job share – Councillors Phelim Mac Cafferty and Amy Kennedy. Councillor Kennedy currently holds the post.

The results of the ballot will be announced on the afternoon of Sunday 4 March.

In a statement the party said: “The new Green leader, deputy leaders and mayor will be proposed for formal election at the city’s annual council on Thursday 17 May.

“The present deputy leaders, Councillors Amy Kennedy and Ian Davey, will step down on that day, as will the present council leader, Councillor Bill Randall, who has been selected by the Greens and confirmed by the other parties to serve from then for a year as mayor.”