As the operators of Brighton Shoreham Airport look to take over control of the freehold from Brighton and Hove City Council, TIM RIDGWAY argues that our town hall leaders have big questions to ask themselves in the coming years.

To sell or not to sell – that is the question facing local authorities across the county as austerity bites.

With George Osborne announcing further cuts to town halls last week, many of those in charge must ask themselves: just what are we here for?

It is true that over the next few years the role of councils is to change dramatically, a point that was expertly analysed by my colleague Adam Trimingham in his column in Wednesday’s Argus.

For Brighton and Hove, this transformation is happening before our eyes as those in charge weigh up what it can and should be doing on a smaller budget.

Local authorities must also ask themselves if it is actually worth holding on to these things, particularly if they could be saddled with a huge debt if things go wrong.

Last week, was an exact case in point when I reported that the city council is considering selling its freehold in Brighton Shoreham Airport.

On paper it appears to be a pretty sound idea.

Should a council own a stake in an airport? Does it have the expertise to do it better than the private sector?

What benefits does it give to local taxpayers?

The answers are probably not, no and few, if any.

With the airport having a chequered history and one of its operators already going bust, the council must also be wary what its liability could be if things go pear-shaped again.

In responding to the article on Twitter, council leader Jason Kitcat made it clear that the local authority considering the request had “nothing” to do with austerity.

But in truth he is wrong.

Every decision the council takes is made with that Sword of Damocles dangling above it.

Whether those in charge keep their heads under the intense pressure of the next few years is another question entirely.