What is reorganisation and devolution?
Reform of local government means two changes are happening which affect people in East Sussex.
- Reorganisation
Everyone in East Sussex will be served by just one council, providing all day-to-day services. From April 2028 this will replace the present two-tier system where some services are provided by the county council and some by a district (or borough) council. - Devolution
A strategic authority for the whole of Sussex is being given funding and powers to plan and decide long-term issues which affect the whole area. A mayor for Sussex will be elected in 2028.
Find out more in our short video which explained how these changes would be introduced.
- The way councils work is changing
1. Reorganisation of local government
The national government wants local government to reorganise. Its aim is for people to be served by just one local council (known as ‘unitary government’).
In East Sussex, this may mean moving away from the two-tier model of county council (East Sussex County Council) and borough or district councils (Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden).
The Government is considering a new single council for almost the whole county, following the One East Sussex model proposed by the county's existing councils.
The new body would serve a population of about 530,000. It could run in shadow form before full operation from April 2028 when it would replace East Sussex County Council and boroughs or districts of Eastbourne, Lewes, Hastings, Rother and Wealden.
The only communities which would not remain part of East Sussex under this plan are East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe. The Government has proposed they would be transferred into an expanded Brighton & Hove City Council from 2028.
Those decisions were set out by the former Secretary of State for Local Government in Parliament on 16 July.
On 7 September however, the new Secretary of State announced there would be a pause while this decision is reviewed, along with those for 17 other areas of England.
- Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
- Review of local government reorganisation launched - GOV.UK
2. Devolution
The government agreed a proposal from East Sussex County Council and its neighbours for devolution across Sussex.
Devolution means drawing down more powers and funding to people in Sussex: allowing more decisions to be made locally rather than at a national level.
The Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority began operation in April 2026.
A new mayor for the whole of Sussex will be elected in May 2028.
The mayor will join representatives from East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council in the combined authority.
The authority will have powers for strategic issues including transport, housing, skills and employment, economy, environment and climate change, health and public safety.
It will work with local councils in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, which continue to operate most day-to-day services.
What happens now?
There are no immediate changes to services or council operations.
All councils work with each other, with partners and with residents to provide excellent local services before, during and after transition to the new local government structure.
Elections to most borough and district councils in East Sussex (apart from Hastings) and to the present Brighton & Hove City councils are expected to go ahead in May 2027.
If plans proceed for a new unitary authority for East Sussex election arrangements will be announced in due course.
The election of a mayor for Sussex will take place in May 2028.