Plans for Local Government Reorganisation in East Sussex will take a step forward next week, as six local councils come together at their Cabinet and Full Council meetings to discuss progress.
Rother District Council, Wealden District, Lewes District, Eastbourne Borough, Hastings Borough and East Sussex County Council will all hold meetings between March 18 and 20 to consider an Interim Plan to send to the government – ahead of a March 21 deadline.
In February, the government wrote to local authorities – including those in East Sussex – formally inviting them to submit proposals to create new structures of unitary authorities – which is a single tier of local government responsible for all local services in an area with a population of 500,000.
The aim is to create more efficient and effective local government, potentially leading to streamlined services and cost savings for residents.
Under the Interim Plan, in East Sussex, the five existing local authorities and East Sussex County Council would be abolished to create a new East Sussex authority.
Council leaders and chief executives are proposing one single unitary authority but state they remain open to alternative options if the government indicates flexibility, or if residents demonstrate a clear desire for an alternative configuration.
The six authorities have made it clear in the Interim Plan that funding the reorganisation of local government will have to be from government as it cannot be met from existing councils’ budgets.
A consultation on the Interim Plan will be held for all residents across East Sussex.
Cllr Doug Oliver, Leader of Rother District Council, said: “In any new arrangement, our number one priority will be to get the best deal for the residents and businesses of Rother.
“Thankfully in East Sussex there is a strong track record of collaborative working between the district and borough councils, and the county council. All the partners want a local government model that is best for our residents and protects services.”
In the Interim Plan, the six councils have proposed to develop a coherent new structure for local government across Sussex which:
- Improves outcomes for residents and communities
- Maximises and makes best use of resources now and for the future
- Is member led and developed in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including public sector partners, business and VCSE
- Supports staff in all councils as they are crucial to delivery during transition and beyond
- Enhances local democracy, local identity, transparency, accessibility, local decision making and accountability
- Supports and drives decision making and public service reform at both Sussex and local level
- Provides a stronger and unified voice to help attract investment and tackle priorities
The government has given the six councils a deadline of September to submit final, much more detailed proposals.
If approved, a shadow new council would be elected in May 2027 and the date the new unitary council would formally take over – and East Sussex County, Eastbourne, Lewes, Hastings, Rother and Wealden councils would cease to exist – would be April 2028.
Rother District Council’s Extraordinary Full Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 19. Agenda papers can be found at Agenda for Council on Wednesday 19th March 2025, 6.00 pm – Rother District Council
Council meetings schedule:
- Tuesday, March 18: Wealden District Council Cabinet and Full Council meetings
- Wednesday, March 19: Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet meeting; Hastings Borough Council Full Council meeting; Rother District Council Cabinet and Full Council meetings
- Thursday, March 20: Lewes District Council Cabinet meeting; East Sussex County Council Cabinet and Full Council meetings
The six councils involved are:
- East Sussex County Council
- Rother District Council
- Eastbourne Borough Council
- Hastings Borough Council
- Lewes District Council
- Wealden District Council
In a separate process, the government has agreed to include Sussex in its priority programme for devolution which will transfer some powers from Westminster to a mayoral combined county authority, made up of East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove and with an elected mayor. The combined authority would take on strategic powers for areas including transport, the economy, health, housing and public safety and would work with the new unitary authorities across the area.
For further information on Local Government Reorganisation please read https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-white-paper-power-and-partnership-foundations-for-growth/english-devolution-white-paper
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Published: 13th March 2025
