Senior councillors have agreed to push ahead with plan for a single East Sussex council while emphasising that they remain open to other options if necessary.
East Sussex County Council’s cabinet backed an interim plan drawn up with the county’s five borough and district councils.
The plan is aimed at creating a new local authority based on the current boundaries of East Sussex as a clear option for reorganising local government in the area.
And councillors hope that it could meet the government’s ambitions for streamlined councils and satisfy its criteria that new unitary councils should be created with a population of 500,000 or more. The population of East Sussex is 550,000.
The government wants unitary councils to replace two-tier government in areas with both county and district councils.
The initial plan drawn up by the six councils in East Sussex suggests a single unitary authority as the leading option.
But it makes clear that council leaders remain open to alternatives if the government changes its criteria and if evidence and strong public support suggest other options.
The currently envisaged unitary council would replace East Sussex County Council as well as Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Lewes District Council, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council in 2028.
The six councils have agreed that any new structure for local government in East Sussex must
- improve outcomes for residents and communities
- make best use of resources now and for the future
- be member-led and developed in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, including public sector partners, business and the voluntary sector
- support staff in all councils as they are crucial to delivery during transition and beyond
- enhance local democracy, local identity, transparency, accessibility, local decision-making and accountability
- support and drive decision-making and public service reform at both Sussex and local level
- provide a stronger and unified voice to help attract investment and tackle priorities
All six councils have agreed that the extra work to create a new council or councils in East Sussex should be funded by the government, saying that it cannot be met from existing council resources.
East Sussex County Council leader Keith Glazier said: “There is a case that a single local authority could provide the best quality and value of service for people in East Sussex.
“Our initial view is it could be the least disruptive option, the most streamlined and able to draw on the strength of our existing partnerships. Many of these already work across the whole of East Sussex.
“But we need to hear the views of residents, businesses and partners and to build the evidence for what will work best for them.”
Councillor Glazier added: “We’ve always worked effectively with our district and borough colleagues and other partners.
“And we want to continue that collaboration on the significant amount of work and engagement needed to develop one or more final proposals.”
Final, detailed proposals for a new unitary council serving East Sussex are due to be submitted to the government in September.
To read the full cabinet report, click here.
The cabinet today also agreed East Sussex County Council’s response to the government’s consultation on devolution for Sussex which would establish a mayoral combined county authority, with an elected mayor in 2026.
To read the full cabinet report, click here.
