An independent review of Brighton and Hove City Council says the council is responding to earlier recommendations “with pace and intent”, with clear improvements in bin collections and council housing. The same report warns that the council's finances remain fragile and that homelessness is still its biggest challenge.
The council published the Local Government Association (LGA) progress review on 11 November 2026. The review team visited on Friday 20 March 2026, about 10 months after the original Corporate Peer Challenge in April 2025.
What a peer review is
The LGA says peer challenges are not inspections or audits. They are carried out by senior councillors and officers from other councils, who give feedback as a “critical friend”.
The team for this review included the chief executive of Salford City Council and the leader of Plymouth City Council. It looked at the eight recommendations made in 2025. The report says the council's own action plan shows all of the actions have been progressed.
Where the review saw progress
- Bin and street services. The report calls Environmental Services one of the most notable areas of improvement, with better industrial relations, a more stable workforce and stronger management.
- Council housing. It recognises strong and sustained progress on governance, regulatory compliance and resident engagement.
- Financial planning. It says a four-year Medium Term Financial Strategy is a significant step forward and that the forecast overspend has reduced.
- Decision-making. It says the move to a leader and cabinet model has been well managed overall.
What the review warns about
Money. The report says the council faces a structural budget gap and that its reserves are below recommended levels. It says the council's reliance on Exceptional Financial Support “further underlines the fragility of the current position”.
Savings. The review team says there would be value in a thorough review of the 2026 to 2027 savings programme, to make sure every proposal can be delivered in full within the year.
Homelessness. The report says homelessness and the cost of temporary accommodation remain the most significant challenges facing the council, with demand still rising. It calls for continued urgency. Cabinet has since agreed a plan for up to 500 more homes, covered in our report on the temporary accommodation programme.
Housing inspection. The team noted that the council may be subject to a housing inspection in six months, and said plans for full regulatory compliance should move forward at pace.
Jobs and culture. The report asks the council to think about the impact of job losses on its aim of becoming a “learning organisation”, saying the two messages “can sometimes feel at odds”.
Opposition councillors. The review team heard that some opposition members feel they are not fully included in decision-making, and suggests the council keeps building cross-party representation in scrutiny.
Sussex devolution. The report says relationships with neighbouring councils remain variable and that a fully shared view across Sussex has yet to be reached.
What the council says
What happens next
The council says the feedback has informed its medium term financial strategy and a refresh of the Council Plan, which is due to be discussed at the December Cabinet meeting.
The full report is on the council's website: LGA Corporate Peer Challenge progress review.
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