Local Government Review Halted For West Sussex – 7th September 2026

Statement from Horsham District Council

Joint Response – Government Pauses LGR Programme

Today the Government has announced that it is pausing the LGR programme whilst it reviews if decisions already taken, and those to be made, are the right ones. No timeline has been given to local authorities as to when the review is to be carried out or when it will be concluded.

West Sussex councils have reacted to the latest development with disappointment, that a process that has been ongoing for over 18 months has yet to be decided upon.

In a statement they said: “We are frustrated by the latest news and will be meeting with ministers to understand what is behind this decision and what the timetable is for going forward. Our concern now is to ensure our residents, communities and businesses are kept fully aware and that our staff and members are kept up to date with the latest details in what continues to be an unsettling time for them.

“In the meantime, it is business as usual, we will continue to provide all of our services and deliver our local priorities with the same level of commitment, to our communities. We will jointly urge the Government to finalise the details on the LGR programme so we can finally know when this will be happening and what the decision is for the future of local Government in West Sussex.”

To read the business case submitted, click here

Updated situation across Sussex:

Sussex Council Shake‑Up Put on Hold as Government Orders Legal Review

A major overhaul of council boundaries across Sussex has been abruptly paused, leaving both East and West Sussex in a state of uncertainty and pushing any changes far beyond the previously expected 2027 timetable.

The Government has halted its local government reorganisation programme after receiving new legal advice, meaning the next round of elections in May 2027 will now take place using the current council boundaries.

What Was Planned for East Sussex?

Ministers had approved a significant restructure: replacing the county’s seven principal councils with two unitary authorities. One of these would have been an expanded Brighton & Hove, stretching east to absorb Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs and East Saltdean.

This decision, announced in July, is now paused and under review.

The remainder of East Sussex would have been governed by a new single unitary council, replacing East Sussex County Council and the district and borough councils covering Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden.

Ministers argued the expansion would strengthen Brighton & Hove’s planning powers and tax base, helping the city tackle housing pressures and support economic growth.

But the proposal triggered strong opposition. Lewes District Council leader Zoe Nicholson said residents had been ignored, while East Sussex County Council leader Andy Woolley called it “one of the worst outcomes” available. Both councils indicated they were considering legal action.

West Sussex: A Decision Already Delayed, Now Paused

West Sussex had been awaiting a final decision after submitting two competing models in 2025:

• One county‑wide unitary authority, backed by West Sussex County Council
• Two smaller unitary councils, proposed by the district and borough councils

Ministers later consulted on a modified split, grouping Adur, Arun and Worthing together, while placing Chichester with Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex. These new authorities would have served populations of roughly 349,000 and 566,000.

A decision expected in spring 2026 slipped to summer, then to July, and has now been paused entirely.

What Happens Now?

Before the pause, residents across Sussex were expected to elect “shadow authorities” in May 2027, ahead of reorganised councils taking control in April 2028.

That plan has been shelved.

The Government has confirmed that May 2027 elections will proceed using existing boundaries, including in Brighton & Hove. Any boundary changes will only take effect if the review concludes and new arrangements are made in time.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner said the pause was necessary to ensure the process is lawful and aligned with the priorities of the new administration:

“I want to satisfy myself that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law… I do not take this lightly.”

The pause does not amount to a permanent cancellation, but it does mean Sussex’s long‑running debate over council structures will continue well into the future.