Good morning, Brighton. Happy Halloween Eve! The pumpkins are carved, the sweets are hidden (and already going missing), and the cobwebs are out. Before the trick-or-treaters arrive, catch up on this week's news. It's all treats, no tricks. Read on if you dare! 👻

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

- Phil Reynolds

❤️ A bus driver has been honoured for saving the life of Bill Randall, 83, a former Brighton and Hove mayor and the council's first Green leader. In June, he suffered a cardiac arrest at a bus stop in Telscombe Cliffs and collapsed into a bed of nettles. Not the day's best landing.

Debbie Russell, a former nurse, was driving past and spotted the commotion. She stopped her vehicle and, with help from another motorist, pulled him from the bushes. She then spent 10 to 15 minutes giving CPR until the ambulance arrived. Paramedics gave him three defibrillator shocks.

Last Thursday, the South East Coast Ambulance Service gave Ms Russell a chief executive's commendation. Mr Randall joined her on stage. He said he was lucky "the right person came along at the right time."

🧮 The Autumn Budget brings some welcome help for households in Brighton and Hove. Homes in Council Tax Bands A to D will get a £100 energy payment from January 2027. The £2 bus fare cap is extended through 2027, and the National Living Wage rises by 3.9%. Some positive news for the city's many hospitality workers.

For businesses; retail, hospitality and leisure firms share a £1.9bn rates support package, and the Trading Allowance triples to £3,000.

Housing gets £430m to tackle rough sleeping, plus £1.5bn more for affordable homes.

The biggest long-term change may be new powers for the Strategic Authority for Sussex and Brighton, including a possible visitor levy from 2028. Council leader Bella Sankey welcomed the "much-needed help" for residents. Full Overview of Budget

📍 The government says it is "minded to proceed" with local government reorganisation for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. Local authorities now have 21 days to make further representations, and a decision is expected before Christmas.

Nothing changes at the ballot box just yet. May 2027 elections will go ahead on existing boundaries. Shadow council elections follow in May 2028, with the new councils up and running in 2029.

Council Leader Bella Sankey welcomed the plan to merge Brighton & Hove with East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe. She also welcomed the government's firm commitment to keeping the city's status. The council will now argue that it should continue as an existing authority rather than become a brand new one, to keep the change as smooth as possible. She hopes to work constructively with East Sussex partners. Read full breakdown on BBC

☀️ | 📈 15° | 📉 7° | ☔️ 5% | 🌬️ SE 9mph | 🌊 <1ft

☀️ | 📈 15° | 📉 7° | ☔️ 5% | 🌬️ NE 7mph | 🌊 <1ft

🌤️ | 📈 14° | 📉 8° | ☔️ 5% | 🌬️ NNE 6mph | 🌊 <1ft

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Cinemas aren’t going to fill themselves. Break a habit of a lifetime, turn off Netflix, get off the sofa and potter down to your local (cinema).

Duke of York’s Picturehouse - Book

Ghosts: The Posession of Button House | Wicker | Fatherland | 🎈Minions & Monsters | Ken Russells The Devils | The Duke’s After Dark Rocky Horror Party | Wild Horse Nine Preview | Pan’s Labyrinth (20th Anniversary Restoration)

Dukes at Komedia - Book

🎈Shaun The Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom | Ghosts: The Posession of Button House | Wicker | Fatherland | 🎈Wildwood | Primetime | Ken Russells The Devils | Practical Magic 2 | Hadestown: The Musical

Sat 31st Oct & Sun 1st Nov | 10-5pm | Brighton Centre & Wagner Hall | Book

🎈 Family friendly events

Great to have you follow the Scoop today. If you liked it, do share us with a friend. There’s a coffee on me if you spot me in town.