Council Leader Bella Sankey’s statement on the announcement on Local Government Reorganisation

The Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Councillor Bella Sankey has issued a statement following the government’s announcement on Local Government Reorganisation.

Councillor Sankey said: “We have a chance to make local service delivery in our region more effective, and local growth more ambitious. We are pleased the government is supportive of Brighton & Hove’s approach to fit boundaries to how people work, live and travel.

“We welcome the government seeking greater consensus and compromise across Sussex as a region - this offers a chance to build sustainable, responsive, and connected to community unitary councils, and reverse the previous decade of 'managed decline' of local government.

“When combined with newly devolved power and money to the mayoral authority - Sussex and Brighton have a chance to shape our own future, grow our regional economy, and improve things for communities.

“We are also satisfied that government have confirmed today that we remain on track for new unitary elections across Sussex in May 2027 and vesting in May 2028. We are pleased that capacity funding will be provided to local authorities to implement final plans.”