West Sussex Council leaders speak out over LGR reorganisation pause
Leaders say it is 'unacceptable' and 'frustrating'.
The lack of certainty about a major shake-up of local government has been described as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘frustrating’ by West Sussex council leaders.
On Monday (September 7), housing and communities secretary Angela Rayner confirmed the government will be pausing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in 14 areas.
Ms Rayner told parliament the decision had been made ‘in the light of legal advice’, which will see the proposals reviewed by ministers.
Plans for West Sussex – which took 18 months to prepare – had already been paused and will be considered alongside the wider review. No time-line has been given as to when the review is to be carried out or when it will be concluded.
Adrian Moss, leader of Chichester District Council, called the situation ‘unacceptable’, adding: “We are deeply frustrated by this latest development.
“Together with our partners across West Sussex, we will be seeking urgent discussions with ministers to understand the rationale behind this decision, how it has been reached, and the timetable for what happens next.
“Our immediate priority is to provide clarity and reassurance to our staff and councillors, who continue to face significant uncertainty during what has been a prolonged and unsettling period.”
It was a view shared by West Sussex County Council, which pledged to ensure that residents, communities and businesses were kept fully aware of what was going on.
A spokesman added: “In the meantime, we urge the government to finalise the details on the LGR programme so we can finally know when this will be happening and what the decision is for the future of local government in West Sussex.”
Robert Eggleston, leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said the decision to pause prolonged ‘the uncertainty for our residents, communities, businesses, staff, and councillors’.
He added: “In the coming days, we will be seeking further information to understand the reasons for the pause and, importantly, the timetable for reaching a final decision.
“We urge the Government to provide clarity as soon as possible so that everyone affected can understand what happens next. In the meantime, we continue to remain firmly focused on delivering the services our residents rely on every day.”
The decision to pause the shake-up was greeted with some sympathy from Labour leaders along the coast.
Jeremy Gardner, leader of Adur District Council, said: “It is essential that any decision on local government reorganisation in West Sussex is the right one for Adur and and we are keen to hear more details about what the government’s review will entail and when it will be carried out.”
Caroline Baxter, leader of Worthing Borough Council, added: “It is important that any changes to local government in West Sussex are carefully considered and deliver the best outcomes for our residents and businesses, alongside strong, well-designed local services.”
Ms Rayner said local elections scheduled for May 2027 would go ahead as planned, using existing district and borough council boundaries.