Reorganisation and devolution
What reorganisation means for Hastings' councils, from the councils' own papers: every meeting that considered it, what the report recommended and what the minutes record.
How reorganisation works
The government invited the councils in each two-tier area of England to propose replacing the county council and its district and borough councils with one or more unitary councils, each doing everything a council does. The government consults on the proposals, then decides; a new council is elected before it takes over. Devolution is separate: a combined authority led by an elected mayor, covering a wider area, taking powers from central government. The papers below say what has been proposed here, and when.
Consultations
Every meeting that considered it
East Sussex County Council
Full Council · Tue 14 Jul 2026
Notice of Motion - Local Government Reorganisation
The minutes of this meeting aren't on the record yet.
East Sussex County Council
Cabinet · Tue 27 Jan 2026
Devolution and establishment of Mayoral Combined County Authority
The report recommended: “Note the changes announced by the Minister to the proposal to devolve to Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority, in the letter of 4 December 2025.” (and more)
The minutes record: Noted. “RESOLVED to: 1) Note the changes announced by the Minister to the proposal to devolve to Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority, in the letter of 4 December 2025; 2) Reconfirm the approval of and consent to the establishment of the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority; 3) Delegate authority to the County Council’s Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to agree the contents of, and consent to, the making of the Sussex and Brighton Combined Authority Order 2026; and 4) Delegate authority…” minutes ↗
East Sussex County Council
Cabinet · Tue 16 Dec 2025
The report recommended: “Agree East Sussex County Council’s responses to Government’s statutory consultation on proposals for local government reorganisation in the East Sussex and Brighton & Hove area as set out in the.”
The minutes record: Agreed. “RESOLVED to: 1) agree East Sussex County Council’s responses to Government’s statutory consultation on proposals for local government reorganisation in the East Sussex and Brighton & Hove area as set out in the appendices of the report; and 2) approve the submission to Government by the closing date of 11 January 2026.” minutes ↗
Hastings Borough Council
Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Wed 10 Dec 2025
The report recommended: “Improve Public EngagementDevelop targeted outreach for hard-to-reach groups and use multiple communication channels.” (and more)
The minutes record: Recommended to Cabinet. “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 ↗
East Sussex County Council
Cabinet · Tue 21 Oct 2025
Devolution and establishment of the Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA)
The report recommended: “Approve and consent to the establishment of the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority.” (and more)
The minutes record: Agreed. “RESOLVED to: 1) Approve and consent to the establishment of the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority; 2) Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to agree the contents of, and consent to, the making of the Sussex and Brighton Combined Authority Order 2026 establishing the Combined County Authority; 3) Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to take such action as necessary to give effect to the above resolutions and to facilitate the establishment of the MCCA; and 4)…” minutes ↗
Hastings Borough Council
Cabinet · Wed 24 Sep 2025
HBC LGR and Devolution Report FC Cabinet Final
The report recommended: “Report Template v30.0R Full Council Are recommended to: Note the contents of this report and take note of comments from Overview and Scrutiny Cabinet Are recommended to:” (and more)
The minutes record: Agreed. “RESOLVED (unanimously): 1. We endorse support for the One East Sussex unitary proposal but will submit all three proposals with a covering letter that will: • Emphasise that this is a central government-imposed initiative to which Hastings along with other authorities are responding, where their widespread concerns highlighted the pace at which this had been requested and is expected to be delivered with no additional resources.” minutes ↗
Hastings Borough Council
Full Council · Wed 24 Sep 2025
HBC LGR and Devolution Report FC Cabinet Final
The report recommended: “Report Template v30.0R Full Council Are recommended to: Note the contents of this report and take note of comments from Overview and Scrutiny Cabinet Are recommended to:” (and more)
The minutes record no resolution for this item. They say: “The Mayor reminded councillors that the report was for discussion only, with Cabinet making the final decision on the LGR submission. The Mayor called on Councillor Hilton to open the debate. Councillor Hilton said the Council will submit all three business cases for a single-tier authority. Despite no consensus, the aim is to secure the best outcome for Hastings. Financial analysis shows none of the models resolve long-term funding issues for local government, underscoring the need for broader reform.” minutes ↗
East Sussex County Council
Cabinet · Wed 24 Sep 2025
Local Government Reorganisation: Proposal for a single tier of local government across East Sussex
The report recommended: “Consider the business case setting out the proposal for a single unitary council for East Sussex, based on a Continuing Authority model, (Appendix.” (and more)
The minutes record: Agreed. “RESOLVED to: 1) Approve the submission of the business case setting out the proposal for a single unitary council for East Sussex, based on a Continuing Authority model, (Appendix 1 of the report) to Government by 26 September 2025; 2) Agree to request Government to cancel or postpone the county council elections scheduled to be held in May 2026; 3) Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, authority to finalise and submit the business case setting out the proposal and a…” minutes ↗
East Sussex County Council
Full Council · Wed 24 Sep 2025
Briefing Note - Notice of Motion - proposed delay in Mayoral elections
We couldn’t match this item in the minutes; they record what was decided.
Hastings Borough Council
Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Thu 18 Sep 2025
HBC LGR and Devolution Report OaS Sept 25 - FINAL
The report recommended: “Recommendation for Overview and Scrutiny.” (and more)
The minutes record: Noted. “RESOLVED (unanimously) Recommendation for Overview and Scrutiny; 1. Overview and Scrutiny are asked to note the three Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) criteria listed in Paragraph 14 of this report.” minutes ↗