Forthcoming Elections

East Sussex County Council

Following the update from central government on 16 February 2026, the East Sussex County Council Elections are now due to go ahead on 7 May 2026. Below is a timetable of key dates.

Mayoral

The government has decided to postpone the Mayoral election that was due to take place this May until 2028.

Currently no by-elections have been called.

DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL

Neighbourhood Planning Referendum

 East Dean and Friston Neighbourhood Planning Referendum

I, Heather Blanshard, being the Deputy Counting Officer at the above referendum held on Thursday 12 February 2026, do hereby give notice that the results of the votes cast is as follows:

And I do hereby declare that more than half of those voting have voted:

YES

in response to the question: “Do you want the South Downs National Park Authority to use the Neighbourhood Plan for East Dean and Friston to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Heather Blanshard, Deputy Counting Officer

Dated: Friday 13 February 2025

NOTICE OF POLL

Wealden District Council

 Referendum on the adoption of the East Dean and Friston Neighbourhood Plan

Notice is hereby given that:

   1. A poll will be held on Thursday 12 February 2026 to decide on the question below:-

“Do you want the South Downs National Park Authority to use the Neighbourhood Plan for the parish of East Dean and Friston to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’

2. The hours of poll will be from 7:00am and 10:00 pm.

3. The situation of Polling Stations and the description of persons entitled to vote are as follows:

Trevor Scott, Counting Officer

Dated: Wednesday 4 February 2026                                           

Printed and published by the Counting Officer, The Elections Office, Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AX

EAST DEAN AND FRISTON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AREA

NOTICE OF REFERENDUM

1. A Referendum will be held on Thursday 12 February 2026 to decide on the question below:

‘Do you want the South Downs National Park Authority to use the Neighbourhood Plan for the parish of East Dean and Friston to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’

2. Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Tuesday 27 January 2026. Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

3. Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at The Elections Office, Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AX by 5 pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026. Applications for new postal votes can be made online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote

4. Applications for a Voter Authority Certificate or an Anonymous Elector’s Document valid for this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday 4 February 2026. Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

5. New applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at The Elections Office, Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AX by 5 pm on Wednesday 4 February 2026. Applications for some new proxy votes can be made online at www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote

6. Applications to vote by emergency proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at The Elections Office, Wealden District Council, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AX by 5pm on Thursday, 12 February 2026.

Trevor Scott

Counting Officer

Dated: Thursday 8 January 2026

As the South Downs National Park Authority is the planning authority for the neighbourhood planning area, you can view more information about the neighbourhood plan on their website South Downs National Park Authority.

Time Table