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Explainer: Sussex Council Shake Up Paused: What It Means for You

08 September 2026 00:32

A Pulborough Post Explainer Q&A

A major reorganisation of councils across Sussex has been put on hold by the Government, creating uncertainty for residents, councillors and local services. Here’s a clear, community‑focused explainer to help Pulborough readers understand what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next.

Q&A: Your Questions Answered

  1. What exactly has been paused?

The Government has halted its local government reorganisation programme, which aimed to redraw council boundaries and replace existing councils in both East and West Sussex. This pause means no boundary changes will proceed for now, and the Government is reviewing whether the process was lawful and aligned with its priorities.

The document states: “The pause means the boundary change cannot progress as planned while ministers reconsider the process.”

  1. Why has the Government paused the process?

Ministers received new legal advice suggesting the process needed further scrutiny. The Communities Secretary, Angela Rayner, said she wanted to ensure the programme was robust, lawful, and consistent with the new administration’s plans.

The article quotes: “In light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law.”

  1. What was planned for East Sussex?

The Government had approved a major restructure:

  • Brighton & Hove would expand eastwards to include Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs and East Saltdean.
  • The rest of East Sussex would be governed by a new single unitary council, replacing the county council and all district/borough councils.

This plan is now paused and under review.

  1. What was proposed for West Sussex?

West Sussex had two competing models:

  • One county‑wide unitary authority (supported by West Sussex County Council)
  • Two smaller unitary authorities (supported by district and borough councils)

Ministers later consulted on a modified split, grouping coastal councils together and placing Chichester with Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex. No final decision had been made — and now the entire process is paused.

  1. Does this affect the 2027 local elections?

Yes. Elections in May 2027 will now take place using existing council boundaries, not the proposed new ones. This includes Brighton & Hove, which will not expand unless the review concludes and new arrangements are made in time.

May 2027 elections will instead go ahead on existing boundaries while the review is carried out.

  1. What about the ‘shadow councils’ that were supposed to be elected in 2027?

These have been scrapped for now. Shadow authorities were meant to prepare new councils for launch in April 2028 — but with the reorganisation paused, they will not be elected.

  1. Is the reorganisation cancelled?

Not necessarily. The Government has paused the process, not abandoned it. However, the timeline has been pushed back significantly, and future changes depend on the outcome of the legal review.

  1. How does this affect Pulborough?

For Pulborough residents:

Nothing changes for now — West Sussex County Council and Horsham District Council remain, with services delivered as usual.

  • The long‑running debate over whether West Sussex should have one council or two continues.
  • Any future changes will depend on the Government’s review and could take years to resolve.

This uncertainty affects planning, service delivery, and long‑term local strategies — but day‑to‑day services remain stable.

  1. Why does this matter to local communities?

Because council structures shape:

  • How services are delivered
  • How local taxes are spent
  • How planning decisions are made
  • How local voices are represented

The paused reorganisation leaves councils across Sussex — including those serving Pulborough — in a holding pattern.

  1. What happens next?

The Government will carry out its legal and policy review. After that, ministers may:

  • Restart the reorganisation
  • Modify the proposals
  • Abandon the programme entirely

Until then, Sussex councils continue operating as they are.