The Conservatives say council taxes will soar if a regional assembly is set up to cover the South-East.
Regional referenda are being held next year in the north of England and others may follow.
Councillor Brian Oxley, opposition Tory leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "England already has enough politicians.
"Public services across Brighton and Hove won't improve by creating yet more politicians and fiddling with the tiers of local government. They won't employ a single extra doctor, teacher or police officer."
On top of this, the administrative cost of a regional assembly in the South-East could be up to £68 million a year.
In London, the regional assembly now charges a regional council tax of £224 a year on Band D bills. A regional assembly covering Brighton and Hove would have similar powers to increase the council tax.
Coun Oxley said regional assemblies would take power from local communities on planning, transport and housing.
Tuesday November 18, 2003
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