Council Agenda Item 4
Subject: Local Government Reorganisation
Date of meeting: 24 September 2025
Report of: Director of Governance and Law
Contact Officer: Name: Head of Democratic Services
Email: anthony.soyinka@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Note: Urgency
By reason of the special circumstances below, and in accordance with section 100B(4)(b) of the 1972 Act, the Chair of the meeting has been consulted and is of the opinion that this item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Note: Reasons for urgency
The special circumstances for non-compliance with Council Procedure Rule 3, Access to Information Procedure Rule 5 and Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), (items not considered unless the agenda is open to inspection at least five days in advance of the meeting) were to enable Member debate ahead of submission to Government by 26 September 2025. The timeline is nationally set and the final proposals that are the subject of the report were not concluded until the date of publication.
1.1 This report advises Council of a Cabinet report presenting the Brighton & Hove Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for submission to Government.
1.2 The timetable for Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex Councils to submit final LGR proposals is by 26th September 2025.
2.1 That Council endorse the recommendations set out in the Cabinet report attached.
3.1 Local Government Reorganisation is the process of reconfiguring the structure and responsibilities of local authorities. The Government have set out plans to move away from the current two-tier system of district and county councils. In our area, this means that East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council and their District and Borough Councils would cease to exist and new unitary authorities will be established.
3.2 On 21st March 2025, Brighton and Hove submitted their draft interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation to Government. In June 2025 Government published feedback on the interim plan. The attached Cabinet report sets out the final proposal based on a five unitary model for Sussex.
3.3 The Cabinet report will be considered by Overview & Scrutiny on 22 September 2025, providing Members with the opportunity to test the evidence, challenge assumptions, and make recommendations. The report will then be received at a Special Council on 24 September 2025, with a final decision to be made by Cabinet on 25 September 2025.
4.1 The Council is invited to consider the Cabinet report attached at Appendix 1, which sets out the Proposal for Representative Councils for a Devolved Sussex: A Five Unitary Proposal.
5.1 As set out in the Cabinet Report attached as Appendix 1.
6.1 The financial implications associated with the proposals are detailed in the attached Cabinet report.
6.1
Name of finance officer consulted: John Hooten Date consulted: 160925
7.1 The legal implications associated with the proposals are detailed in the attached Cabinet report.
Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted 160925
8.1 As set out in the Cabinet Report attached as Appendix 1.
9.1 As set out in the Cabinet Report attached as Appendix 1.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 As set out in the Cabinet Report attached as Appendix 1.
11.1 Council is asked to endorse the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation attached at Appendix 1.
Supporting Documentation
1. Cabinet report 25 September 2025 - Local Government Reorganisation
2. Appendix 1 – ‘Representative Councils for a Devolved Sussex: A Five Unitary Proposal submission for Local Government Reorganisation’
3. Appendix 2 - LGR Engagement Document, July to August 2025