Government delays decision on West Sussex council reorganisation
Communities Secretary Steve Reed seeks further views after consultation raises issues
The government has been unable to make a decision about how West Sussex will be divided under local government reorganisation.
A letter from Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, was sent to the leaders of the seven district and borough councils, along with their colleagues in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, on Wednesday (March 25).
In it, he said he had concerns about some of the proposals put forward by the various councils and needed to look into them further.
West Sussex County Council proposed one unitary council covering the whole of the west, while the district and borough councils proposed two unitary authorities – with Adur, Arun, Chichester and Worthing in one, and Crawley, Horsham, and Mid Sussex in the other.
A public consultation was held between November and January, and the responses gave Mr Reed pause for thought.
He said: “In West Sussex, I would like to seek further views to ensure that the proposals reflect the distinct communities and identities in the area, while maintaining balance under the Mayoral Combined Authority.
“The consultation revealed a concern that the two unitary proposal risks diluting the rural identity and economic profile of areas like Chichester by grouping them with coastal districts.
“I note that there was also some support from Adur and Worthing for the concept of a coastal unitary which could focus on specific coastal challenges and local needs.
“I also received representations from other government departments that Chichester should be placed with Horsham as it would be a better fit in terms of needs and demographics, rather than placed with Worthing, Adur and Arun.
“I would therefore like to understand views on whether there would be appetite for this at a local authority level.”
Mr Reed said he was considering modifications to the proposals submitted by the councils, that could address his concerns.
In the west, that could see Chichester, Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex in one authority and Arun, Adur and Worthing in another.
As for the east, he suggested Brighton & Hove plus a number of wards from Lewes in one authority, and Rother, Eastbourne, Hastings, Wealden and the rest of Lewes in the other.
Mr Reed added: “I do not take this decision lightly and I know that this will be a disappointment given you were expecting decisions.
“I would like to reassure you that we are still fully committed to delivering reorganisation in your areas with elections in May 2027 and changes coming into effect from April 2028.”
Once the Government has made its decision, a Structural Change Order will go to Parliament for final approval.
While elections for the new unitary authorities will be held in May, 2027, the authorities themselves will not ‘go live’ until April, 2028. Until then they will operate as ‘shadow’ councils.
The Structural Change Order will lay out how many councillors will sit on each unitary authority, and specify the functions the authorities will have during the transition period. This should take about six to nine months.
Once the Order has been made, the existing councils will carry on delivering services, while preparing to transfer all assets, functions and staff to the new unitary authority.