Brighton & Hove City Status Could Cost Residents Extra £20 A Year

People in Brighton & Hove could face an extra council tax charge of up to £20 a year to help preserve the city’s status under plans to reorganise local government.

The city is one of two in the south-east potentially affected by the changes, alongside Canterbury in Kent.

Under the plans, several existing councils will be replaced by new unitary authorities.

The government says it recognises the importance of cities retaining their historic identity and will work with areas to ensure city status is preserved.

Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey says the council will work with the government to make sure the city retains its status.

She says Brighton & Hove has become an "internationally recognised city" since gaining city status, and that reorganisation could bring opportunities for the area to "continue to flourish".

In Canterbury, council leader Alan Baldock says a small council tax precept is likely to be introduced to fund charter trustees, who would oversee the city's status after the existing council is abolished.

The issue has raised concerns about additional costs, with some residents questioning whether maintaining city status is worth paying extra for.