Councillor Nancy Platts has taken the decision to step down as leader of the Brighton & Hove Labour Group of Councillors, due to the growing demands of her successful business.

Councillor Platts has led the Labour Group since May 2019 and served as Leader of the Council until July 2020, steering Brighton & Hove through the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, overseeing the building of more council and affordable homes, and setting up the city’s first ever climate assembly.

At the upcoming Labour Group AGM in April, Councillor Platts will be stepping down as Leader of the Opposition to focus on; working with residents in her ward of East Brighton, her community and voluntary work across the city, and her growing business.

Councillor Nancy Platts said:

“It’s been a real honour to have led the city I call home, both as Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me in my time as Labour leader, in particular – council officers, my deputy Cllr John Allcock and my fellow Labour Councillors, as well as Labour Party members across Brighton & Hove.

“As Labour leader I sought to remove the barriers between residents and politicians by improving the way we communicate and fostering a healthy dialogue with people across the city. I want to thank everyone who has engaged with my columns, sent me your ideas and got in touch with your views – we took all of these on board as we set the direction for the city.

“I’m taking a step back for a short while as my business is growing and I’m somebody who likes to throw myself 100% into everything I do. With my business taking off, I feel now is the right time to hand over the Leader of the Opposition role on Brighton & Hove City Council.

“This will enable me to spend more time in my ward, working with and supporting the residents of East Brighton who have been hit hard by the pandemic, with many struggling with housing costs and relying on food banks.

“I really love the work I do in the community where I am the co-event director of East Brighton parkrun, a member of GoodGym and a member of the Brighton Cooking Club. I have recently become involved in the set-up of Brighton Community Workshop and Tool Library – I’m really excited about getting this project off the ground to benefit the whole city.

“Whoever takes over as Labour leader will have my full support. I will remain a very active and vocal member of the Labour Group and will continue to work towards delivering the Council Plan in the best interests of the city.”