What is happening next?
Government has announced a pause and review of its plans for local government reorganisation in 18 areas of England, including East Sussex.
Ministers had earlier chosen a single unitary council to cover almost the whole of East Sussex. This closely followed our One East Sussex proposal.
The only parts of East Sussex not included in that plan were East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe which Ministers said should be transferred into an expanded Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC).
This plan is now on hold while it is reviewed.
Elections to many local councils will go ahead in May 2027 on existing boundaries. These are Eastbourne Borough Council, Lewes District Council, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council plus Brighton & Hove City Council.
The election of a Mayor for Sussex remains due in May 2028.
Timeline
- 26 September 2025: five of the six councils in East Sussex submitted a detailed proposal to Government for a single council, operating on the current footprint of East Sussex:
- December 2025 to January 2026: Government consultation on One East Sussex proposal and a proposal submitted by Brighton & Hove City Council to reorganise Sussex into five new unitary councils
- March 2026: On 25 March 2026 Government told us they want to consult on a variation of the One East Sussex proposal after the elections in May. Their variation would see Peacehaven, Telscombe, East Saltdean and Falmer parish transferred to Brighton and Hove to bolster its footprint.
- May 2026: Government consultation held.
- July 2026: Government announces plans for East Sussex unitary council (and expanded Brighton & Hove City Council).
- September 2026: Government pauses local government reorganisation plans while it reviews them.
- May 2027: Elections to several councils on existing boundaries.
- April 2028: Election of a mayor for Sussex, working with the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority