Deputy council leader to step down from Brighton and Hove City Council

Cllr Nick Childs, who is a Labour councillor for Queen's Park, said he was stepping down from the children's lead role and as deputy leader of the council in September due to 'work and family responsibility'.

He will continue to represent Queen's Park.

The politician was criticised after it emerged that his daughter was attending Roedean School despite his vocal opposition to the academisation of Moulsecoomb Primary School.

“I’m going to dedicate my time to working for the residents of Queen's Park who elected me in May, to make sure their local issues are addressed and I represent our ward fully in the city.

“I’ll spend the summer concentrating on handover to colleagues to ensure that the important policies already in hand can be continued into the next academic year.

“The administration will continue working towards extending premature baby leave for school staff, a workload charter for teachers, the extension of our ‘Every Child a Reader’ scheme and our campaign against the privatisation of Moulsecoomb Primary School.”

Brighton and Hove City Council said the roles will be filled as soon as possible. The role of deputy leader will be formally appointed at a meeting of the full council in the autumn and the role of Children Young People and Skills Committee chair will be decided before the next committee meeting.

Cllr Childs serves in Queen's Park ward along with Cllr Amanda Evans (Labour) and Cllr Claire Rainey (Green).