1. 160726 East Sussex and Brighton

Noted · Received for information; no decision followed.

The letter states the new East Sussex Council would comprise the current areas of Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Lewes District Council minus four wards, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council. p9

The letter states that Falmer parish, with a population of around 300, would remain part of East Sussex Council rather than transferring to Brighton & Hove. p10

The letter states that elections to the new unitary councils will take place in May 2027, replacing any scheduled local elections, and that the shadow council model, rather than the preparing council model, will be used for implementation. p20p21

The letter states that a Structural Changes Order, subject to Parliamentary approval, is required to abolish the existing councils, establish the new structures and make transitional arrangements. p19

1 further sentence of this summary was held back by verification and is not shown. We only publish claims that survived checking against the cited passages.

Show the 5 passages this is based on

• p9• Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Lewes District Council minus four wards , Rother District Council and Wealden District Council ( referred to in the proposal as ‘East Sussex Council’)
• p10• Brighton and Hove City Council plus four wards from Lewes District Council In my view, my selected option will enable a better outcome overall for the area than the unmodified proposal as described below. That notwithstanding, I have decided against making all the boundary changes requested by Brighton and Hove City Council. Following careful consideration of the consultation responses, I have decided that the parish of Falmer in Lewes District Council, with a population of around 300, should be in ‘East Sussex Council’ rather than part of an expanded Brighton and Hove, given its rural identity. I also note this will reduce the complexity associated with boundary change and service disaggregation. I want to thank you for all of the work that has gone into developing options that seek to deliver new unitary councils that will help to grow the local economy and provide better public services for the people of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. Your ongoing collaboration will be vital to ensure that the proposal as modified is implemented by April 2028 with the interests of residents at its heart.
• p19Next steps In relation to next steps, as you are aware a Structural Changes Order, which will be subject to Parliamentary approval, is required to abolish existing councils, establish new structures and make transitional arrangements. I have carefully considered the information in the proposals as well as the further representations you have made on the content of this Order. My officials will shortly write to your Chief Executives setting out the next steps and timeline for implementation, including my initial decisions on transitional arrangements that will be included in the draft legislation. This will enable you to take fo rward the work needed to begin preparation for implementation, in advance of Parliamentary approval of the Order. Critically,
• p20and drawing on learning from previous rounds of reorganisation, this will include a single Implementation Team formed of officers from across the area, and elections to the new unitary councils in May 2027. For the avoidance of doubt, these elections to th e new unitary councils will replace any scheduled local elections, and affected councillors will have their terms extended.
• p21I have carefully reflected on requests to use the preparing council model for implementation . However, this model has never been used for an expansion, and if used would lead to a democratic deficit that I do not think can be clearly and effectively mitigated. On balance I have decided that the shadow council model should be used. While I appreciate this adds some complexity, I consider this is justified given the importance of democratic accountability . The shadow council model will also help support the n ew council s to make the most of the opportunities afforded from reorganisation.