The big question for Brighton and Hove: What do you think is fair?

There is always a risk that it could be just another talking shop '“ a danger that it spends a year compiling a fact-packed report that few people read, and even fewer act upon. That it tells us only what we already know: our city is hobbled by inequality and injustice.

But the naming of the 12 men and women who comprise a new Fairness Commission offers hope that we can together create a fairer, more equal and more cohesive community of citizens. The commissioners come from a variety of backgrounds, including business; each has a wealth of experience and expertise to bring to a six-month factfinding campaign.

The commission has been set up by Brighton and Hove City Council to give a fresh, independent perspective based on evidence gathered from citizens, agencies, and community groups. Its work will help shape future council policies and budget priorities from 2017 to 2020.

Nearly 30 councils '“ including Plymouth, York, and Sheffield - have set up fairness commissions since the idea was first conceived in the London borough of Islington in 2010.

The chair of the Brighton and Hove commission is Vic Rayner, chief executive of Sitra, a leading national body championing excellence in housing, health, care, and support.

Ms Rayner said: 'We want to make sure everyone gets the chance to feed in their thoughts to us on making the city a fairer and more equal place to live.

'We're looking for residents' opinions on what they think should change, and how they think these changes could be achieved.

'Our panel members will be looking to hold community events and make a wide range of visits to local agencies and groups over the coming months.

'We're expecting to hear a very wide range of views over the coming months.'

Councillor Emma Daniel, chair of the city council's neighbourhoods, communities, and equalities committee, said: 'We're committed to tackling deprivation and poverty in the city. This means taking action in areas like health, housing, jobs, financial security, and education.

'The general patterns of deprivation in the city have changed little in the past decade, so we need to change the way we are doing things. The Fairness Commission will help us do this in a way that is, crucially, based on the evidence it receives from local people and groups.'

The Fairness Commission is independent of the council, with no serving councillors on its panel. Representatives of each of the council's three political groups are acting as observers to the commission. They are Cllr Daniel (Labour), Cllr Dee Simson (Conservative), and Cllr Leo Littman (Green).

The commission will hold a series of five information-gathering events between November and March, where it will invite local people with particular areas of expertise to answer questions and give advice. It is due to make its final recommendations to the council next May.

For more information - and to give your views - visit: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/fairness-commission. Twitter: @FairnessBH