LGR consultation for residents launched
Publish Date: 15 May 2025
Residents are being invited to take part in a consultation that will help reshape local government and how services are run in the future
The government wants to reorganise local government so that everyone in East Sussex gets their services from just one council. This could mean East Sussex County Council, Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Lewes District Council, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council, would be replaced by a single authority.
Other options could also be considered if they attract wide public support and government backing.
Local Government Reorganisation is set to be the most radical shake-up of local government in decades and people are being encouraged to have their say.
With a new council expected to be elected in 2027 and start work in 2028, the county council and district and borough councils are working on plans and asking residents for their views.
Wealden council leader Councillor James Partridge said, “Acting on the government’s request, we have worked with our colleagues in councils in East Sussex to draw up an initial plan for a single local authority for East Sussex that could provide best quality and value for all its 550,000 residents.
“We now need to know what local residents, businesses and the voluntary sector think about this so that we can make a plan which will deliver the greatest benefits to our communities. Final, detailed proposals have to be submitted to the government in September.”
The consultation is now available to complete online at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EastSussexLGR/ until Monday 23 June.
In the interim plan, East Sussex County Council and the five district and borough councils have set out what they believe any new local authority would have to achieve including:
- Improving outcomes for residents and communities
- Making best use of resources now and for the future
- Enhance local democracy, local identity, transparency, accessibility, local decision making and accountability
- Support and drive decision making and public service reform at both Sussex and local level
- Provide a stronger and unified voice to help attract investment and tackle priorities
More information about Local Government Reorganisation in East Sussex can be found at www.eastsussexcouncils.org