Final LGR report Dec 2025

Committee report · Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Wed 10 Dec 2025 · Hastings Borough Council · agenda item 5

What it recommends

In the report's own words. A recommendation is a proposal: the meeting can agree, change or reject it.

“Improve Public EngagementDevelop targeted outreach for hard-to-reach groups and use multiple communication channels.”
“Clarify Governance and RepresentationProvide clear details on councillor numbers, governance structures, and local influence under each model.”
“Address Service Delivery ConcernsInclude specific plans for improving vulnerable services (e.g., CAMHS, SEND, adult social care).”
“Enhance Financial TransparencyExplain council tax harmonisation timelines, asset transfer processes, and comparative savings clearly.”
“Plan for Regional IntegrationPrepare strategies for working with the future Sussex Mayor and future devolution opportunities.”
“Ensure Fair FundingAdvocate for reform of funding formulas and highlight high-need indicators for coastal areas.”

What the meeting decided

The minutes record: Resolved. “RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to Cabinet to: Improve Public Engagement- Develop targeted outreach for hard-to-reach groups and use multiple communication channels. Clarify Governance and Representation- Provide clear details on councillor numbers, governance structures, and local influence under each model, and engage with trade unions. Address Service Delivery Concerns- Include specific plans for improving vulnerable services (e.g. SEND, adult social care).” minutes ↗

In plain English

Each sentence was checked against the passage it cites; how the checking works.

For decision · This went to the meeting on Wed 10 Dec 2025. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

The council is preparing three possible models for a new unitary council: a Single Unitary Model, a Federated District and Borough Model, and a Coastal Unitary Model. p12

The recommendations cover improving public engagement, clarifying governance and representation, addressing service delivery concerns, enhancing financial transparency, planning for regional integration, ensuring fair funding, and mitigating governance risks. p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 p9

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was due to review this report and its recommendations on 10 December 2025. p1 p26

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 10 passages this is based on

p1Report Template v30.0 Report To: Overview and Scrutiny Date of Meeting: 10 December 2025 Report Title: Local Government Reorganisation Submission Review Report By: Coral Harding, Democratic Services Manager Key Decision: N/A
p3Recommendation(s) 1. Improve Public EngagementDevelop targeted outreach for hard-to-reach groups and use multiple communication channels.
p42. Clarify Governance and RepresentationProvide clear details on councillor numbers, governance structures, and local influence under each model.
p53. Address Service Delivery ConcernsInclude specific plans for improving vulnerable services (e.g., CAMHS, SEND, adult social care).
p64. Enhance Financial TransparencyExplain council tax harmonisation timelines, asset transfer processes, and comparative savings clearly.
p75. Plan for Regional IntegrationPrepare strategies for working with the future Sussex Mayor and future devolution opportunities.
p86. Ensure Fair FundingAdvocate for reform of funding formulas and highlight high-need indicators for coastal areas.
p97. Mitigate Governance RisksDefine statutory roles clearly and assess financial impact of parish councils.
p122. Hastings Borough Council is preparing three distinct models for consideration: a Single Unitary Model covering the entire county, a Federated District and Borough Model offering a collaborative governance approach, and a Coastal Unitary Model focused on the needs of coastal communities. A covering letter accompanied the submission, explaining the rationale for presenting three options. The committee’s role was to provide comments and recommendations to strengthen each proposal before submission.
p26Responsible Overview and Scrutiny reviews report and recommendations Recommendations and actions agreed 10th December Overview and Scrutiny committee

Places and organisations it names

Hastings Borough Council

Other papers for this meeting

2025-26 P6 Financial Update Report to end of September 2025, 01/12/2025 Cabinet · Committee report
Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda · Committee agenda
Appendix 1 - Budget Monitoring Tables 2025-26 P6 September 2025, 01/12/2025 Cabinet · Committee report
Appendix 2 - P6 2025-26 Capital Monitoring, 01/12/2025 Cabinet · Committee report
Appendix 3 - 2025-26 PIER Savings P6, 01/12/2025 Cabinet · Committee report
Final ESHT report Dec 2025 · Committee report
Minutes Public Pack, 10/09/2025 Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Committee report
Minutes Public Pack, 18/09/2025 Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Committee report
Overview and Scrutiny Committee minutes · Committee minutes
Q2 O&S Work Programme 2025-2026 · Committee report

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