Labour tables formal vote of no confidence in Brighton and Hove’s ruling Greens

Labour members of the Brighton and Hove City Council have proposed a formal vote of no confidence in the ruling Green Party administration.

The Labour group – the smallest political group on the council – wants a caretaker administration to take over until the local elections in May next year.

The cross-party coalition could include Green councillors. It could mean working with the Conservatives. It may involve members of all three parties forming a caretaker administration.

The motion follows the Greens’ announcement today (Thursday 16 January) of plans to put up council tax by 4.75 per cent from April.

The council tax rise would need the support of voters in a referendum scheduled for Thursday 22 May – the same date as the European parliamentary elections.

Labour’s motion says: “This council resolves: in light of the administration’s behaviour with regards to the budget process, calls on the leader of the council and his administration to resign and for talks to begin on forming a cross-party caretaker administration to run the council until the local elections in 2015.”

The motion will be decided at the council meeting that is due to be held on Thursday 30 January.