The Labour and Green groups have agreed to work together on key issues as the dust settles after the Brighton and Hove City Council elections.

In a joint statement they said: “The Labour administration and Green opposition agree to work together to tackle key issues affecting the city.

“Both parties announce a new approach to managing local government in Brighton and Hove.

“An annual meeting of the council on Wednesday 22 May will see the Labour Party form the administration of the council and the Greens form the official opposition, with Councillor Nancy Platts as leader of the council and Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty as convenor of the official opposition.

“However, both parties have today announced a shared intent to work proactively with all the city’s interested groups to deliver urgent action on the key policy areas of

– the city’s housing and homelessness crisis

– climate crisis

– challenging austerity

– work on diversity, inclusion, equalities and Brighton and Hove’s status as a City of Sanctuary.”

Councillor Platts, the new Labour leader, said: “Residents have sent a very clear message that they want and expect the progressive parties they voted for to work together.

“I am excited at the prospect of working with Green Party councillors and all interested groups to deliver positive change in our city.

“While we are two distinct parties, we share many important objectives and will work together proactively to change the nature of council decision-making to become more inclusive and transparent, as well as more collaborative.”

Councillor Mac Cafferty said: “As in the past four years, Greens will be constructive where it is needed in our role as official opposition.

“However, one thing is clear – our residents and our city deserve and need action on the critical issues of homelessness, climate crisis, austerity and city of sanctuary.

“We will work with the Labour council and pledge to stand up for what is best for our city and continue to hold our council to the high standards our city expects and deserves.”