Civic Life · 3 min read
Local Elections, Electoral Registration and How Votes Become Seats
Explain registration, voter identification, ward contests, counting and the formation of political control.
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
Child Poverty, Free School Meals and the Cost of Housing
Connect official poverty measures with housing costs, food support and unequal childhood outcomes.
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FOI, Open Data and Complaints: Three Routes to Council Accountability
Compare when residents should request information, use published datasets or pursue the complaints process.
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Brighton & Hove Libraries After the April 2026 Service Changes
Record the revised opening pattern and explain the budget and access issues surrounding the changes.
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Why Rottingdean Has a Parish Council
Explain the parish’s additional democratic tier, responsibilities and relationship with the city council.
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How the 2025 Housing Allocations Scheme and Homemove Work
Explain eligibility, priority bands, bidding and the reality of demand without implying that an application guarantees a home.
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What Accessibility and Anti-Racism Mean for Council Services
Examine how adopted strategies translate broad equality commitments into service standards and measurable actions.
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Council Homes: Repairs, Building Safety and the 2026 Fire-Safety Programme
Explain landlord responsibilities, resident reporting routes and the current programme of safety work.
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Sussex & Brighton Combined County Authority: Powers Before the 2028 Mayoral Election
Set out the new authority’s legal functions, transitional governance and which decisions remain with Brighton & Hove.
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Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025–2030
Summarise prevention, accommodation and support commitments while distinguishing statutory homelessness from street homelessness.
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Local Government Reorganisation: What the July 2026 Decision Means
Separate the government’s July decision from later implementation choices and explain what is settled or still open.
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