Government Consultation on Local Government Reorganisation for Sussex & Brighton

The Government is consulting on local government reorganisation for Sussex & Brighton.  This is your opportunity to share your views on how local councils could be structured in the future in our area. 

Your previous feedback was vital in developing the shared business case for our area. All councils in West Sussex worked together very closely to develop a shared business case for local government reorganisation, this was informed by our collaborative approach including detailed modelling and appraisals alongside data gathered in our joint engagement work. 

Each council has a preferred option, but we are all determined that whichever model is chosen by Ministers, we will work together tirelessly, to make sure this huge change is achieved seamlessly and with minimum disruption to communities and our partners. 

The Councils are grateful for your support and insights throughout this process. We encourage everyone to participate in the formal government consultation which seeks views from statutory consultees as well as the comments of any individuals or bodies interested in the proposals. 

For this government consultation, proposals for local government reorganisation are grouped by the area of the proposed strategic authority (Sussex and Brighton). This approach reflects the breadth of the proposals and the requirement that new unitary councils support wider devolution structures. 

Consultation questions are given for each proposal, and respondents can choose which proposals they wish to comment on. Please note that the Brighton & Hove proposal impacts the whole of West Sussex, so we encourage you to comment on that proposal alongside West Sussex options. 

The final ministerial decision on the most appropriate option for the area will take into account all criteria, representations received, including those from this consultation, and other relevant information. 

Local residents, businesses and community groups are invited to have their say until 23:59 on 11 January 2026. We encourage you to take this further opportunity to present your views and participate in this further consultation. 

Please click here to access the consultation.

Paper copies will also be available in council receptions and in West Sussex libraries.