Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 May 2026
Letter from the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness to the Chair dated 12 May 2026 concerning local government reorganisation in East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove
Summary
Minister Alison McGovern informs Parliament's Housing Committee that further public consultations on local government reorganisation proposals for East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex have been launched, running until 15 June 2026. The Secretary of State has not yet decided which proposals to implement, pending assessment of consultation responses against the stated criteria.
Key findings
- Further consultations launched on potential modifications to reorganisation proposals for East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex, closing 15 June 2026
- Secretary of State raised concerns with original proposals in a 25 March letter; no final decisions have been reached on any proposal
- All previous consultation responses will be reconsidered alongside new submissions before final judgement
- Government aims to deliver councils equipped to drive economic growth and improve public services through reorganisation
Tone
ProceduralTopics
local-government-reorganisationlocal-government-structurepublic-consultationdevolved-governance
Key actors
Alison McGovern MP, Florence Eshalomi MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, East Sussex Council, West Sussex Council, Brighton and Hove Council
Notable line
“… the Secretary of State has not reached decisions on which proposal/s, if any, to implement, and whether to do so with or without modification.”
Key Quotes
“… the Secretary of State has not reached decisions on which proposal/s, if any, to implement, and whether to do so with or without modification.”
“Local government reorganisation will simplify local government and deliver councils who are equipped to drive economic growth, improve local public services, and lead and empower their communities.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗