Government confirms East Sussex LGR boundary changes

Part of Lewes district will not be included within the new council for East Sussex, the government has confirmed.

On Thursday (July 16), housing secretary Steve Reed announced decisions linked to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) — a process which is expected to see councils in East Sussex and elsewhere replaced with new unitary authorities.

He said the government would be moving ahead with a two-unitary model for East Sussex and Brighton, but also confirmed this plan would include most of the “boundary changes requested by Brighton and Hove City Council.”

Mr Reed said: “Two-tier structures are confusing for residents, divide responsibilities, slow down decisions, duplicate costs and blur accountability.

“In many areas, existing boundaries no longer match patterns of local economies, public services or local identities. We can’t continue with an outdated and misaligned system that does not serve local people well. We can do better.”

He added: “I am tremendously grateful for all the hard work councils put into their proposals, but I also appreciate that some members of this house and some councils will disagree with my decisions.

“I am sure that we can all agree that the hard work of transition to new councils must continue to be a shared endeavour across local and central government. It is something we all need to get right to protect the services some of the most vulnerable people in our communities rely on.”

Earlier this year, the government sought views on a version of LGR in which Peacehaven, East Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Falmer parish — all currently part of Lewes District — would all be absorbed into an expanded council for Brighton and Hove.

Mr Reed said these boundary modifications would take place with the exception of Falmer parish, which the LDRS understands will be part of the East Sussex unitary council.

No plans have yet been confirmed for West Sussex, with Mr Reed saying “further time is required to get the decisions right”.

Mr Reed’s announcement has seen strong criticism from Lewes District Council leader Zoe Nicholson, who confirmed the authority will consider a legal challenge.

In a statement released immediately after the announcement, Cllr Nicholson (Green) said: “The government has chosen to completely ignore the people who live here, and it has done so with a wholly unconvincing explanation to justify its position.

“To the thousands of residents who will be as shocked as I am at this news, let me be absolutely clear, this council will not accept a decision that is so plainly against the public interest.

“All options are on the table, including a legal challenge, and we will pursue every avenue available to us.”

East Sussex County Council leader Andy Woolley (Reform UK)  said the authority would be calling on the government to “urgently reconsider.”

He said:  “Today’s decision to move East Saltdean, Telscombe, [and] Peacehaven out of East Sussex and into an expanded Brighton and Hove City Council is wrong — this is a significant and far reaching change, and it risks undermining identity, representation and local trust in the communities affected.

“It comes despite repeated consultations in which residents and stakeholders have consistently raised serious concerns.

“The question this government needs to answer is simple: if not to the people directly affected, who exactly is it listening to?

“Stripped of the process and the paperwork, this is a Labour government handing part of East Sussex to a Labour-run council in Brighton, to help it build the homes its own targets require.”

Get the latest BREAKING NEWS for the SOUTH on your phone by downloading the V2 RADIO APP today! Read with ease, no annoying pop-up ads.

V2VOUCHERS.CO.UK is offering half-price deals on a wide range of experiences across the South, from meals out at local restaurants to tickets for some of the region’s biggest events.