Civic Life · 3 min read
The Ward Map: How Local Representation Is Organised
Show how wards, councillors and electoral boundaries structure neighbourhood representation across the city.
Read the storyIndependent city recordBrighton · Hove · PortsladeEdition 001 / 2026
CITY COLLECTION
Civic Life
Clear explanations of local government, public services, population and democracy.
Civic Life · 3 min read
Measuring LGBQ+ and TNBI Communities: Why Census and Health Counts Differ
Compare population questions, samples and terminology so differing estimates are not presented as contradictions.
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Ageing Well: Dementia, Loneliness and Independent Living
Connect demographic change with prevention, accessible neighbourhoods, community support and dementia-friendly services.
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Mayor, Council Leader and Chief Executive: Three Different Jobs
Distinguish the city’s ceremonial, political and administrative leadership roles without confusing their powers.
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One-Person Households and Living Alone
Examine age, housing and wellbeing implications without assuming that living alone is the same as loneliness.
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Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity: Needs, Rights and Support
Use local needs evidence to explain service access, health inequalities, independent living and reasonable adjustments.
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Cabinet, Full Council and Committees: Where Decisions Are Made
Trace how an issue moves through the council’s executive, committee and full-council processes.
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Disability, General Health and Unpaid Care in Census 2021
Explain what the census measures and how disability, health and caring responsibilities intersect with service planning.
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How Children’s Safeguarding and Family Help Work
Explain thresholds, referrals, early help and multi-agency safeguarding while protecting children’s privacy.
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How Council Scrutiny Works
Explain how councillors examine decisions, performance and policy proposals on the public’s behalf.
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The Student Population: Residents, Campuses and Data Gaps
Clarify how official datasets count students and why term-time residence complicates neighbourhood comparisons.
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Brighton & Hove’s June 2026 SEND Reform Plan Explained
Set out the agreed direction for special educational needs and disabilities, including intended changes and unresolved delivery questions.
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How Residents Can Ask a Question, Present a Petition or Make a Deputation
Provide a practical guide to the formal ways residents can contribute to public council meetings.
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Work, Economic Activity and Homeworking After the Pandemic
Use census and later official evidence to distinguish employment status, occupation, workplace and travel-to-work patterns.
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Best Start in Life: The 2026–2029 Plan for Early Childhood
Summarise how maternity, family, health and education services aim to improve outcomes from pregnancy to age five.
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From Application to Decision: How Local Planning Works
Explain validation, consultation, officer recommendations, committee decisions and appeals in plain English.
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Renting, Owning and Social Housing: The Tenure Map
Show how housing tenure varies across the city and why tenure is relevant to affordability and public services.
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Applying for a School Place in 2026/27
Give a neutral guide to admission rounds, preferences, published numbers, allocation and appeals.
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Following the Money: Brighton & Hove’s 2026/27 Council Budget
Break down the approved spending plan, major pressures and savings while separating recurring and capital expenditure.
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Housing Affordability and Deprivation: Two Maps of Inequality
Compare official affordability and deprivation measures while warning that neither is a complete measure of household hardship.
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Falling Pupil Numbers and the Future School Estate
Explain the demographic and financial pressures behind changes to admission numbers and school-capacity planning.
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What Council Tax Pays For in Brighton & Hove
Follow a council-tax bill across city services and the separate police, fire and parish precepts.
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Population Projections, Housing Need and City Plan 2041
Explain how projections, assessed housing need, land constraints and planning policy relate without treating forecasts as certainties.
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Hidden Children: Attendance, Reduced Timetables and Safeguarding
Explore how agencies identify children missing education or receiving less education than expected.
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