Whichever government is elected in May, austerity is here to stay and many aspects of Brighton life will be affected by cuts in funding being planned by the city council as it seeks to cut £102 million from the city budget over the next four years, which includes a proposed rise in Council Tax of 5.9% for 2015/16. Everything is under threat.

As Brighton Science Festival and the Save Our Hippodrome campaign have proved, there are ways to mobilise opinion and raise funds for things closest to your heart. It’s a question of priorities. Strong leadership is required from our elected councillors and although citizen involvement in public consultations oftentimes seems futile, sometimes it’s surprising what a difference it can make. If it matters to you, make your voice heard. When it’s gone, it’s gone.