Appendix 1, Cabinet

For decision · This went to the meeting on Tue 16 Dec 2025. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

East Sussex County Council, Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Lewes District Council and Rother District Council have put forward the 'One East Sussex' proposal for two unitary councils: one covering the current areas of Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden, with Brighton and Hove staying as it is. p2p3p4

The council says a single unitary council would bring a net cashable saving of £20m at set-up, £64m over the first five years compared with the current six-council model, and a further £25m every year after that. p15

The council says more than 14,000 views were gathered during engagement on the proposal, and 74% of people who took part in a county-wide survey backed a single East Sussex unitary council as the only option to put forward to Government. p19

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• p2One East Sussex : Proposal submitted by East Sussex County Council, Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Lewes District Council and Rother District Council for two unitary councils across the whole of the area of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, comprising:
• p3· A single unitary council covering the current district areas of Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden
• p4· Brighton and Hove to remain unchanged For each question, the following answers can be provided:
• p15Agree . No reorganisation process alone will address the chronic underfunding and cost pressures facing local government. However, a single unitary authority replacing six councils will offer clear efficiencies in set-up costs and in operation for years ahead. One East Sussex is the only published proposal for the area which should reduce the cost of local government. There would be a net cashable benefit of £20m from the initial set-up. Once established, it would save £64m compared to the current model over the first five years, and an additional £25m each year thereafter. It also has the capacity to create more effective services by building on its existing East Sussex partnerships.
• p19Strongly agree . There has been wide public discussion and engagement in developing the One East Sussex proposal, through surveys, focus groups and discussion with service users and partners. More than 14,000 views were received in total. A county-wide survey showed almost three in four people (74%) said a single unitary for East Sussex was the only proposal that should be submitted to Government. There are naturally a range of views and some concerns that most local voices could be lost: the business case for One East Sussex is clear that neighbourhood engagement and representation will be baked in. It also sets out core principles of local service design, taking decision as the most local possible level and fully reflecting the diversity of our population and geography.