Sussex reacts to halting of council reorganisation

Frustration? Disappointment? Or a 'common sense decision' that's 'clearly the right step'?

Sussex leaders have varying views on the government putting plans to shake up our councils on hold following new legal advice.

A controversial decision to expand Brighton & Hove eastwards to take in East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe will be reviewed.

West Sussex is awaiting a decision, expected in October, on how it will be divided into two new authorities after it challenged the government's modified proposal.

The pause means elections in May 2027 will now be for existing borough and district councils, and for Brighton and Hove City Council in its current form.

In a joint statement, the Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green and Independent leaders of West Sussex County Council said they were "frustrated" and keen to know more about what is behind the decision.

They urged the government to work quickly and set a new timetable.

Andy Woolley, the Reform UK leader of East Sussex County Council, welcomed the move, saying it was a "common sense decision that should have been taken months ago before a lot more work was put into the LGR [local government reorganisation] programme".

He said the squeezed timetable to set up the new unitary authority would have been "unachievable".

Last week, he had revealed the council had issued a letter of intent to take legal action against the government over the reorganisation.

Bella Sankey, Labour leader of Brighton & Hove City Council said its proposals to merge with communities on its eastern border were "robust and evidence-based" and urged the government to confirm the plan was the right one for the area.

She said: "By coming together as one local authority area, people using our services would have more say over them, improving democratic accountability."

Chris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven said the pause was "clearly the right step" but asked for clarity on what it meant for his constituents.

Communities and local government minister Angela Rayner said the decision would be reviewed to "take into account the issues and concerns that people raise".

Preparations had started to elect councillors to the new authorities in May 2027 to begin a year to transfer services before existing councils were dissolved in April 2028, alongside the election of the first mayor of Sussex and Brighton.

Glenn Haffenden, Green leader of Hastings Borough Council, said he was disappointed the government had "yet again moved the goalposts".

He said "Councils across East Sussex have spent countless hours working through this project so far, costing time and money which could have been spent on things like tackling our housing crisis."

Rother District Council's independent leader Doug Oliver said: "I want to reassure everyone that, while we wait for further information from government, there will be no immediate changes for our council or the services we provide."

The Labour leaders of Worthing Borough Council and Adur District Council said it was essential a decision for reorganisation in West Sussex was the right one and the announcement showed the government was considering the changes carefully.

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