Archie Weeks | 6th September 2026
Concerns have been raised over the ability of elected councillors to question and scrutinise decisions at Brighton & Hove City Council.
Independent councillor for Westdene and Hove Park, Professor Samer Bagaeen, has claimed that the “democratic space” for councillors to challenge decisions is becoming increasingly restricted.
Writing on Sunday 6 September, Councillor Bagaeen said that a number of individual incidents had led him to believe there was a wider trend developing at the council.
He highlighted his experience of submitting four written questions for the next full council meeting.
The questions concerned a proposed parking scheme, a blocked drain linked to flooding, the loss of TrackMark accreditation at Withdean Stadium and a pedestrian crossing.
According to Councillor Bagaeen, he was told that he could submit only two of the four questions.
He argued that elected representatives should be allowed to raise issues on behalf of residents unless there is a “sound constitutional, legal or practical reason” preventing them from doing so.
“Democracy can be noisy and inconvenient. It is supposed to be,” he wrote.
The comments come as Brighton & Hove City Council continues its programme of scrutiny meetings. The council’s official democracy website shows that a special People Overview & Scrutiny meeting was held on 4 September, with councillors considering the proposed Wellington House development and related matters.
The council also has further scrutiny meetings scheduled during September, including Place Overview & Scrutiny on 8 September and People Overview & Scrutiny on 29 September.
The council’s own guidance states that councillors “must be able to make themselves heard on behalf of those they represent” at meetings, while also giving the Mayor or Chair powers to maintain orderly proceedings.
Councillor Bagaeen’s comments therefore raise a wider question about the balance between maintaining effective council procedures and ensuring elected members have sufficient opportunity to challenge decisions and raise residents’ concerns.
His article is an opinion piece, and his claims do not by themselves establish that councillors are being systematically prevented from scrutinising the council.
However, the issue could become a subject of further political debate if other councillors raise similar concerns or if the council’s procedures for member questions are challenged.
Brighton & Hove City Council have been contacted for comment.
Sources
- Brighton & Hove News — “Are we slowly silencing councillors in Brighton and Hove?” — 6 September 2026.
- Brighton & Hove City Council — People Overview & Scrutiny meeting agenda — 4 September 2026.
- Brighton & Hove City Council — September 2026 scrutiny meeting calendar.
- Brighton & Hove City Council — Guidance on attending council meetings and conduct at meetings.