Brighton and Hove Council leader Councillor Bella Sankey sat down with The Badger at the University of Sussex to discuss a wide range of local issues, from housing and student accommodation to public transport, local employment, and national policy.
How is the council addressing issues like affordable housing, rent, and student accommodation?
Sankey began by emphasising the central role of housing in ensuring wellbeing, mental health, and opportunity. “We are facing a national housing crisis. There is a local housing crisis,” she said. She highlighted that one in 77 people in Hove is homeless (Shelter, 2024), and a disproportionate number of them are children under 18. “All of that starts with having a decent, affordable, and comfortable home. It’s a prerequisite for everything else. To be able to live the most fulfilled lives possible, to reach their potential, to have good mental health and be active – housing is the foundation for all of that,” she said.
To address these issues, Sankey pointed to the council’s introduction of landlord licensing to improve the standards in the private rented sector. They have also restarted House in Multiple Occupation licensing, a mandatory permit required for landlords renting a property to five or more unrelated tenants, with the aim of improving occupants’ safety.
They have also accelerated the building of council and social homes, opening multiple new housing projects across the city, with more in the pipeline. “We believe in building mixed communities and ensuring that homes are genuinely affordable,” Sankey said. Last week, Sankey says, “the council approved 306 new affordable homes, including 168 council properties ranging from one to four-bedroom units, recognising the importance of family homes. It’s not just about throwing up units; it’s about creating places where people can thrive,” she added.
Student accommodation is also a priority. Sankey noted that universities provide some housing, but the council plays a role in ensuring it is distributed across the city. “We don’t want too high a concentration of student accommodation in just one area. We want students to be fully embedded in the city, to feel part of it, whether they’ve come from other parts of the country or internationally,” she said, emphasising that integrated communities are stronger and more resilient.
What is the council doing to tackle issues like mould, poor housing conditions, and unfair deposit practices in student rentals?
Sankey stressed that maintaining the quality of housing is as important as building new homes. “We’ve inherited a huge maintenance backlog. Over 9,000 repairs were outstanding when we came into office, some over 28 days old. That’s unacceptable,” she said. To tackle this, Sankey says the council has increased maintenance funding and prioritised preventative action.
Sankey says that the landlord licensing, along with the Renters Rights Act passed by the Labour government, ensures landlords are accountable for property conditions, addressing mould, poor maintenance, and unfair deposit practices. “Particularly for student housing, there can be bad practices. Accountability is key,” Sankey said. Additionally, the council has started directly purchasing temporary accommodation to provide secure housing for families and young people, rather than relying on private landlords.
Are there any initiatives to improve public transport for students or make travel around the city cheaper and more sustainable?
When asked about improving travel options for students, Sankey highlighted a range of initiatives. “We have a Bus Service Improvement Plan, and as part of that, we’ve maintained low fares for students,” she said. She also outlined recent active travel schemes, such as cycle lanes near Preston Road and a new plan along the seafront from Fourth Avenue to the western edge of the city. The council is consulting on a potential scooter pilot to offer more flexible and affordable travel options. “Whether cycling, walking, wheeling, or scootering, we want travel to be easier, more flexible, and sustainable,” she said.
How do you tackle the “brain drain” problem, where students and graduates leave the city for London or elsewhere due to better job opportunities?
Sankey acknowledged the ‘brain drain’ challenge, with many graduates leaving Brighton for cities such as London. She says Brighton is addressing this through a new economic plan that supports growing sectors such as digital technology, AI, quantum computing, and gaming, as well as small and medium-sized businesses. Regional devolution allows the council to better match skills and training to local job opportunities. Initiatives like the Connect to Work program provide holistic, tailored support for young people and adults entering or re-entering the workforce. “It’s about identifying barriers, funding training where needed, and providing support so people can access jobs locally,” she said.
Do you feel the current Labour leadership is listening to local councils and communities effectively?
Sankey emphasised the importance of local control and devolution. “The government needs to trust people in their places who know their places. We are in the best position to judge what is best for our community,” she said. Highlighting Brighton’s devolution priority program, a plan that would give Brighton and Sussex greater control over local decisions through a new mayoral authority and possible council changes. Sankey says this plan would give local councils more autonomy to help fund city improvements.
What is your view on the Labour leadership’s latest immigration policies, and how do you think they could be improved?
On immigration, Sankey expressed a positive view, highlighting the contributions migrants make to Brighton’s economy, culture, and public services. “Immigration is a positive thing for our country. I’m the descendant of migrants. Migrants fuel our small businesses and work in our public services,” she said. She criticised past asylum policies for creating backlogs and reliance on hotels. “People seeking asylum need a humane system. They need certainty, stability, and the chance to integrate,” she added.
Do you think reform will win at the next general election? And if so, what can be done about it?
Asked about Reform UK, Sankey avoided predictions but was clear in her concerns. “I hope they never get near forming a government. They are an extremist, divisive party that plays on people’s fears and whips up hatred,” she said. “We’ve already seen what happens in councils they control – it’s worrying, and it’s not the direction the country should go.”
What challenges have you faced leading a city with a large student population?
Sankey praised Brighton’s student population for keeping the city young and creative. She acknowledged the pressures of providing adequate housing but emphasised that these are systemic issues resulting from years of underinvestment due to austerity. “Fourteen years of cuts left us dealing with crises that could have been prevented. It’s not the fault of students or anyone living in the city,” she said.
How would you rate your time in office so far – out of 10?
“We’ve done things I’m really proud of,” she said, highlighting the mental health counselling pilot for Year Nine pupils, investments in housing, public spaces like Madeira Terraces and Hope Beach Park, and reopening public toilets. “But there’s so much more to do. I want to keep pushing, keep improving, and make Brighton a city we’re all proud to call home,” she said.
Councillor Bella Sankey’s interview highlights Brighton and Hove Council’s commitment to affordable housing, student integration, sustainable travel, economic growth, and strengthening local autonomy, while navigating the ongoing challenges posed by national policy and long-term underinvestment.
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