Dear Stakeholder,
We are writing to invite your views on plans for local government reorganisation in East Sussex and would welcome your initial response by 30 June if possible.
No doubt you’re aware of the government’s intention to introduce a single local authority in areas which currently have the two-tier system of a county council and borough or district councils.
East Sussex is one of those areas, and our six councils here are working together on a plan for reorganisation.
The model currently being proposed by all partners is for a single unitary authority on the existing boundaries of East Sussex County Council and the five boroughs/districts of Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden. This unitary council would serve a population of about 550,000 and would operate the services our six councils currently provide.
We think this arrangement is most likely to meet the criteria for reorganisation set out by the government.
However, we recognise other options could still be proposed to government if they receive considerable public support and if the government alters its criteria.
We would welcome your views on local government reorganisation. What do you think of the single unitary proposal? Are there any other geographic options for reorganisation which you think would be more suitable? What do you most value about local government and which features will be most important to you in a future structure and in your work with a new organisation?
There are two ways you can give us your views:
- Take a streamlined online survey we have created for organisations and community groups in East Sussex – complete the stakeholders survey
- Send us a detailed response by emailing info@eastsussexcouncils.org
All the responses we receive will be carefully analysed and will help us draw up a final proposal and business case for East Sussex to submit to the government in September. (We are also running a separate survey for members of the public).
If you would like more information or discussion before submitting your response, please do get in touch. In any event, we want to keep in touch you with as our plan develops and will keep you updated.
When we submit our final proposal to government it will be accompanied by a proposal for any changes to the existing unitary authority in Brighton & Hove. Our county and district neighbours in West Sussex will also submit a proposal to government in September.
The three areas have agreed to join a devolved Sussex Strategic Authority in 2026 and new unitary authorities will be part of that when they start work in 2028.
We look forward to hearing your initial views on local government reorganisation in East Sussex by 30 June and to a continuing discussion.
Yours sincerely,
Becky
Helpful links:
Government White Paper on reorganisation and devolution:
English Devolution White Paper – GOV.UK
The interim plan for developing a single unitary in East Sussex:
East Sussex Councils – Proposal
Full background:
East Sussex Councils
Short video explaining the issues for East Sussex:
The way councils work is changing
Becky Shaw
Chief Executive
01273 481950