The biggest shake-up affecting local government in Rye and East Sussex in over 50 years is on hold after announcements on Monday 7 September.
Angela Rayner, the local government secretary, said the overhaul in East Sussex and many other parts of England would be paused after receiving legal advice. “I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law. And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new prime minister.”
Under the proposals, a new East Sussex Council would be formed from both the county council and district/brough councils like Rother.
The news throws into question next year’s local elections, with the possibility of a ballot on the current set up in May 2027. “Local elections scheduled to take place to existing councils in May 2027 will go ahead unless we are in a position to hold elections to new unitary councils at that point,” said Angela Rayner.
Rye Town Council’s meeting later on Monday heard the hold-up would also delay the handover of the town’s assets from Rother District Council. Rye Cemetery, the public toilets, playing fields and other open spaces have been discussed for transfer to ownership by Rye Town Council.
“We don’t know how it will affect the handover,” county and district councillor for Rye, Dan Bradley, told the meeting, “But it certainly will.”
The decision was welcomed by East Sussex County Council leader Andy Woolley. “While we’ve been working closely with our partners to build a sound and effective unitary council, we’ll use this pause to ask for more evidence for the reasoning behind the government’s decision in July to separate a part of East Sussex for transfer to Brighton and Hove.”
Rother District Council 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. In the meantime, I will be working with colleagues from the other district and borough councils, as well as East Sussex County Council, to ensure decisions on LGR are evidence-based and in the best interests of local people.”
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