The 2025 local elections you refer to were those scheduled for East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and were postponed due to Local Government Reorganisation, which is on-going.  The postponement was requested by ESCC, for a year, to enable the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation to be developed and the early implementation of the proposed devolution arrangements – this was agreed by Government.

Whilst the postponement of any election is regrettable, in certain circumstances, it is practical – in terms of continuity during periods of change and financial savings to the public purse.

Since being accepted on the priority programme for local government reorganisation, ESCC has requested Government again to postpone the elections in May 2026 – a copy of the report setting out the rationale can be found at this link: Report -LGR business case – Cabinet 24.09.25.pdf

ESCC has agreed that the justification for this year’s postponement is even more pertinent to the 2026 elections. This is due to factors such as cost, the demand on limited resources, the imminent transition of the Council to a new authority, and the logistical challenges of inducting new councillors who would soon face re-election, with a notice of election expected roughly ten months after they assume office.

We are unlikely to know the Government’s decision on this further request until the new year and could be as late as March 2026, however, as Leader of Rother District Council, I am supportive of this approach for the rationale given.

Please also be advised that I am not a Conservative Member.  I have been an Independent Member since my first election to Rother District Council in 2014 and am now the Leader of the Council and Group Leader of the Rother Association of Independents.