New shape of East Sussex revealed in councils shake-up
By Paul Bromley, volunteer writer and former national political journalist
The political map of East Sussex is being redrawn with Eastbourne joining most of the rest of the county in a new larger authority.
Changes to the way local government is organised have been confirmed by the Government today.
Eastbourne will join Hastings, Rother and Wealden plus most of Lewes district in a new East Sussex unitary authority which will deliver all services to residents across the area.
Peacehaven, East Saltdean and Telscombe will move from being part of the Lewes district to an expanded Brighton & Hove.
The reorganisation will replace the existing district and borough councils as well as East Sussex County Council from 1 April 2028.
It is the biggest change to how councils are organised in the county since 1974 when the current structure was set up. Elections to the new bodies are scheduled for next May.
What does this mean in practice?
Government minister Steve Reed said: “We’re shaking up local government so that people get the services they deserve - cleaner streets, better care, and money spent on what matters most to local people.
“These reforms create stronger, more efficient councils that lay the foundations for real devolution and the economic growth that will bring new jobs and opportunities to communities right across England.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the changes in East Sussex would mean seven councils being reorganised into two unitaries with boundary modifications.
The current two-tier structure means councils such as Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) look after local planning, housing, leisure and refuse while ESCC is responsible for major services such as education, social services and highways.
The new arrangement will mean one council dealing with all those services.
Will Eastbourne have a new parish council?
Meanwhile, the possibility of a new parish council or consultative committee to replace Eastbourne Borough Council has been dropped. The planned second round of consultation will not proceed.
EBC decided not to take the idea any further after a mixed response to its initial consultation last year.
Instead, councillors have decided to “endorse the establishment of Charter Trustees to maintain civic and ceremonial functions in Eastbourne”, according to a council spokesperson.
:: Paul Bromley is a qualified journalist and broadcaster who worked for 40 years for regional newspapers, the Press Association and Sky News. He now works in community rail. He is a volunteer writer with Eastbourne Reporter.
