Brighton and Hove City Council is a unitary authority in East Sussex, England. It was created as Brighton and Hove Borough Council on 1 April 1997 replacing Brighton and Hove Borough Councils. It was granted city status in 2001. Brighton Borough Council elections and Hove Borough Council elections took place in alternating patterns from 1974 when Local Government reorganisation last took place. Political control The first election to the council was held in 1996, initially operating as a shadow authority prior to taking over from the two outgoing councils on 1 April 1997. Since the first election political control of the council has been held by the following parties: Leadership The first leader of the council following the merger, Steve Bassam, had been the last leader of the abolished Brighton Borough Council. In 2011, Brighton and Hove City Council appointed Bill Randall of the Green Party as leader, being the party's first council leader in the United Kingdom. The leaders of Brighton and Hove since its creation in 1997 have been: Council elections See Brighton Borough Council elections or Hove Borough Council elections for election prior to 1996 1996 Brighton and Hove Borough Council election 1999 Brighton and Hove Borough Council election 2003 Brighton and Hove City Council election (New ward boundaries) 2007 Brighton and Hove City Council election 2011 Brighton and Hove City Council election 2015 Brighton and Hove City Council election 2019 Brighton and Hove City Council election Overview Election Results District result maps By-election results Overview 1995–1999 1999–2003 2003–2007 2007–2011 2011–2015 2015–2019 2019–2023 References By-election results External links Brighton & Hove City Council Unitary authority elections in England Council elections in East Sussex