Admission numbers at three schools in the city could be cut under plans being discussed by the council.

Councillors from Brighton and Hove City Council will meet later today to consider plans to reduce the number of reception places at Downs Infant School in Ditchling Road, Hertford Infant School in Hertford Road and Hove Junior School in Portland Road.

Under the proposals, places at Downs Infant School would be reduced by a quarter, from 120 to 90 pupils, while places at Hertford Infant School would be cut in half, from 60 to 30 pupils - as part of a wider intention to replace the current infant and junior schools with a one-form entry, single site primary school in the future.

Hove Junior School would see its admission numbers cut from 66 to 64 pupils under the plans.

The proposed reductions have the support of all of the school governing bodies involved and would take effect from September 2024.

The number of pupils entering primary school in the city and across the country has been reducing over the past few years and is expected to shrink further in the coming years.

Lead councillor for schools Sarah Nield said: “Locally and nationally, we continue to face a very serious problem with falling numbers of children set to start school in the next few years.

“Councils have no control over the birth rate or which schools parents prefer for their children. This makes planning for future school places a complex task.

“If we do agree to consult on these proposals, it will be a chance for governors, headteachers, families and residents to give their views on our proposals - and to suggest alternative options for addressing the problems in future years caused by the falling birth rate.”

Councillors will meet to discuss the proposed school admission arrangements for the 2024-25 academic year in a meeting of the children, young people and skills committee from 4pm this afternoon.