Around 80 young people from schools and colleges across the city took over the Council Chamber at Hove Town Hall on Thursday 22 October 2026 to tell the council what matters most to them. The day was organised by Brighton & Hove’s Youth Council, and councillors and officers joined the young people later to answer their questions.
The Youth Council will now use what it heard to write a Manifesto, due to launch later this year. Brighton & Hove City Council announced the takeover on 28 October 2026.
The survey behind the day
The takeover followed the Your Voice Matters Survey, which nearly 2,800 young people who live, study or work in Brighton and Hove answered. It is part of the Youth Council’s biennial listening process, the council says.
The survey responses pointed to five themes as the most important to young people:
Inclusion and anti-racism.
Youth mental health.
Transport and travel.
Valuable work experience for under 16s.
Safety and regulation of social media and AI.
What happened on the day
The first part. The Youth Council ran focus groups on each of the five themes. Their feedback will inform the Youth Council’s Manifesto, which is due to launch later this year and to guide its campaign work over the next 12 months.
The second part. Young people were joined by councillors and officers from across council services for a question and answer discussion based on the day’s conversations. Young people could ask questions that can help inform future solutions, the council says.
What Councillor Emma Daniel said
Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said:
“It was great to hear from so many young people who are deeply passionate about making Brighton & Hove the very best it can be.”
“It’s vital that young people are involved in the decisions and democratic processes that shape the services they use, particularly as we look forward to lowering the voting age to 16 at the next general election.”
“Throughout the day, young people discussed topics that are most important to them and asked clever, constructive and hopeful questions. I left the Youth Takeover feeling truly optimistic and excited about how much better our democracy will be for their inclusion.”
Councillor Emma Daniel, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Youth Services
Councillor Daniel also featured in our report on the government approving the city’s Local SEND Reform Plan.
Votes at 16: what the government says
The councillor’s comment refers to the government’s plan to lower the voting age. The government’s policy summary says its Representation of the People Bill would extend the vote to 16 for all UK elections. Once registered, 16 and 17 year olds would have the same rights as other voters.
The bill would also extend the registration age to 14, so young people can be registered even if an election falls on or shortly after their 16th birthday. The government’s summary does not give a start date.
How to join the Youth Council
Brighton & Hove Youth Council is made up of young people aged 13 to 19, or up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities. Members are elected or nominated from schools, colleges and youth groups in the city. The council’s Youth Council page says it aims to influence decisions made by councillors and other decision makers.
In 2024 the Youth Council ran a Make Your Mark consultation with young people aged 11 to 18, which reached more than 3,700 people. To find out more, speak to your school or youth group leader, email youth@brighton-hove.gov.uk or follow the Youth Council on Instagram at BHyouthcouncil.
Sources: Brighton & Hove City Council news release, 28 October 2026; Brighton & Hove City Council, Youth Council; GOV.UK, Votes at 16.
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