It has all gone a bit quiet on local government reorganisation – the biggest upheaval affecting local councils in East Sussex in over a half a century. It is hugely important – and not just about bins and potholes. A huge chunk of the county council’s multi-million pound budget goes on adult and youth social care.
Under the plan, East Sussex County Council and the five district councils, including Rother, will all be replaced by a new unitary authority. It is designed to make things simpler and save lots of money.
The reorganisation was first announced in December 2024. Since then local elections have been postponed and then reinstated, lengthy circular arguments about structure have been debated, and plans for a new mayor Sussex delayed until 2028.
The latest hold up is wrangling over whether villages between Lewes and Brighton should remain in East Sussex or become part of the city. If you’re fascinated by the future of Peacehaven, East Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Kingston you have until 15 June to have your say.
After that, Housing Secretary Steve Reed will make a decision. Whatever he decides, it could still unravel further.
Last week 19 council leaders wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer claiming the proposed boundary changes in their areas are “short-term political choices”, will cost money rather than save it, and “jeopardise the integrity of essential services, particularly adult and children’s social care.” They point to analysis commissioned by the County Councils Network suggesting there would be “no long-term efficiency savings” from the latest council sizes.
Andy Wooley, the new leader of East Sussex County Council, was one of the signatories.
Of the all four areas where plans have been approved (Hampshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk) have now issued pre-action letters to Reed as the first step in the Judicial Review process to legally challenge the decisions.
Image Credits: One Sussex .