A plan for people in Rother and the rest of East Sussex to get all their council services from a single unitary authority has received the backing of the district council.

The One East Sussex proposal – which is being sent to government ministers today – is for a single council to provide all the services currently run by the five borough and district councils and by the county council. If government agrees to the plan, the new authority could start work in April 2028.

Rother councillors approved the plans for submission to central government at their full council and cabinet meetings held this week (24 September).

Developed by all the councils in the county over six months, the One East Sussex plan includes detailed evidence which shows it would save £64 million over its first five years (compared to the current model) and save £25m each year in future.

The business case also shows that other options, such as splitting East Sussex and its services into two unitary councils, would be hugely more complicated and expensive. Setting up two unitary councils would cost more than £400 million, in contrast a saving of £20m that would come from the move to a single new council.

The One East Sussex proposal also sets out how it would be:

• simpler for residents because one council would provide all their services.
• built on solid foundations because existing councils already work closely together and with other partners.
• owned by everyone in East Sussex, with a commitment to transform and develop services in discussion with all the county’s communities.
• able to meet the government’s requirements for new unitary councils, including population size, building on existing district boundaries and service footprints and representing areas with a strong shared identity.

The move to a new single unitary council follows surveys and discussions with residents and partners who gave more than 14,000 views. In a county-wide survey almost three in four (74%) said it was the sole proposal that should go to government.

Cllr Doug Oliver, Leader of Rother District Council, said: “Following our full council and cabinet meetings held this week, we’ve confirmed our support for Local Government Reorganisation and the One East Sussex model – a single unitary council covering the current East Sussex boundaries.

“We believe it is the best proposal for our residents and businesses in Rother and meets all the criteria when it comes to delivering high quality services and efficiencies.

“East Sussex stands at a pivotal moment in history. Change of this scale has not been seen for over 50 years. The One East Sussex plan sets out our shared vision for achieving the exemplar unitary council that will enable us to meet the challenges of today while unlocking the opportunities of tomorrow.”

The One East Sussex plan has been agreed for submission to government by the cabinets of Rother District Council, Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council and Lewes District Council.

The government is expected to begin a public consultation on the proposal (and any other valid plans submitted) in November before a final decision in March 2026.

ENDS

Published: 26th September 2025