Brighton & Hove City Council leader Jason Kitcat looks back over 2013

No one can deny the past year has been a challenging one for our city as we have had to deal with more Coalition government cuts to our city’s budget. However despite this, we have continued to outpace most of the country economically with more retail space being taken and visitor numbers holding steady or rising – so essential for a city that relies on visitors for it economic lifeblood.

Our schools, colleges and universities are growing from strength to strength and outcomes are improving.
This year saw record GCSE results against a nationwide downward trend.

2013 saw a busy calendar, with Brighton & Hove Albion and the city council winning the right to host 2015 Rugby World Cup matches in the Amex stadium. The city’s wonderful Festival and the Fringe both had record years, and our museums have been doing very well. And we saw a Royal visit to open The Keep, our new public archives in Falmer.

Many readers will have noticed the major transport improvements completed this year thanks to external funding from the Department for Transport and others. The Lewes Road and Seven Dials have been transformed, improving safety for all.

There has been building underway at the old Co-op department store on London Road, ‘Block J’ behind Brighton Station, Woodingdean’s new library, the Brighton Housing Trust container homes and the Amex Stadium expansion. We’ve also recently completed a major refurbishment of the Withdean Sports Complex and of course the revamped facilities at The Level.

We’ve had great success with the Living Wage Campaign. After introducing the Living Wage for council staff, the citywide campaign we support recently celebrated huge success. Thanks to their work, over a quarter of the living wage employers in the UK are right here in Brighton & Hove – a hugely significant milestone to round off a great 2013. Happy New Year to all.