Socialist activists are calling for the council to cancel plans to implement any cuts in this year’s budget.

The left-wing Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is demanding councillors pass a legal no-cuts budget, using council reserves and a borrowing campaign to prevent planned savings to some services.

Among the proposals put forward by the council for the budget include cutting the number of lifeguard stations, closing Mile Oak Library and scrapping the city’s pay and display machines.

TUSC activists have called on the city’s councillors to find an alternative and threatened to stand candidates in the upcoming city-wide local elections in May if Labour and the Green Party do not stop the cuts.

The Argus: Posters by TUSC encouraging councillors to pass a people's budget have appeared near Hove Town HallPosters by TUSC encouraging councillors to pass a people's budget have appeared near Hove Town Hall (Image: The Argus)

A spokesman for TUSC said: “The closure of Mile Oak Library, reduced opening hours at other libraries and cuts to youth programmes, along with ending the supported employment scheme, is unacceptable.

“If councillors won’t stand up for the community, we will.”

TUSC, chaired by the former Labour MP for Coventry Dave Nellist, supports trade union rights, demands an end to cuts and austerity and fights for local climate emergency plans.

The party last stood a candidate in Brighton and Hove in a by-election in Hollingdean and Stanmer in May 2021, where they came fourth - ahead of the Liberal Democrats.

Councillors will debate the budget in a special meeting tomorrow.