Ministers pause local government reorganisation
Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Local Government, has announced a pause to the process of reorganisation of local councils to review the Government's plans.
East Sussex is one of 18 areas included in the review which was announced on 7 September.
It means the Government’s initial decision to create a new unitary council for almost all of East Sussex from April 2028 now goes on hold. That plan would also have meant moving East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe from East Sussex into an expanded Brighton and Hove, despite overwhelming local opposition.
In her announcement, Ms Rayner said she wanted to ensure any reorganisation would be effective, legal and in tune with the Government’s ambitions to ‘rewire the state’.
She also said that local elections due in May 2027 would go ahead on existing council boundaries.
There is therefore no change to current councils or services in East Sussex while the review is carried out.
Statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
Tuesday, 8 September 2026