September 18th, 2025.



The Leader of Lewes District Council’s is encouraging people to attend a ‘crucial’ meeting on local government reorganisation that will finalise the proposal it submits to government.

Cabinet councillors will discuss and decide whether to approve a recommendation for a ‘One East Sussex’ unitary authority at its next meeting next Thursday, September the 25th, at 2.30pm at The Marine Workshops in Newhaven.

The proposal recommends replacing East Sussex’s six existing councils – Lewes District Council, Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council, and Wealden District Council - with a single unitary council starting in April 2028. A shadow authority would be elected in May 2027 to manage the transition.

This is in response to the government’s Devolution Priority Programme, which requires Sussex councils to submit proposals for a single tier of local government by September 26.

Councillor Zoe Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council, said: "This is a crucial moment for the future of our local services and identity of the communities in which we live, so I encourage people to come along and hear what is set to be a very important discussion.”

The ‘One East Sussex’ proposal was informed by extensive public engagement, which received more than 14,000 responses from residents. A county-wide survey gathered over 5,600 responses, while a separate consultation conducted by Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council regarding a proposed boundary change with Brighton & Hove City Council received 7,472 responses. The overwhelming majority of these respondents (86%) opposed any changes to the current East Sussex boundary.

Councillor Nicholson added: "The response from residents has been fantastic and their voices will be pivotal to our discussion, ensuring that we put forward a proposal that has the best interests of local people at its heart.”


To view the Cabinet meeting online next Thursday CLICK HERE.