What is happening next?
We continue to press Government to agree a single unitary authority on the current geography of East Sussex. This option has gained the most support from residents.
Government has proposed a variation of the One East Sussex proposal – that would see Peacehaven, Telscombe, East Saltdean and Falmer parish transferred to Brighton and Hove to bolster its footprint.
Government plan to hold a consultation on their revised proposal, it will run from 12 May to 8 June – they will use the responses to this consultation to guide their final decision before the summer.
After a final option is chosen, we can expect elections in 2027 with a new unitary council or councils operating from 2028.
Timeline
- 26 September 2025: five of the six councils in East Sussex submitted a detailed proposal to Government for a single council, operating on the current footprint of East Sussex:
- December 2025 to January 2026: Government consultation on One East Sussex proposal and a proposal submitted by Brighton & Hove City Council to reorganise Sussex into five new unitary councils
- March 2026: On 25 March 2026 Government told us they want to consult on a variation of the One East Sussex proposal after the elections in May. Their variation would see Peacehaven, Telscombe, East Saltdean and Falmer parish transferred to Brighton and Hove to bolster its footprint.
- May 2026: Government consultation: details to come
- July 2026: Government to make final decision on the future of East Sussex
- May 2027: Elections to preparing authority
- May 2028: New council starts work, replacing the current county and borough/district councils
Transition Board
Results of public consultations