Mid Sussex Council's cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss and confirm the council's preferred option for local government reorganisation (LGR) in West Sussex, and to agree arrangements for submitting this preference to the government. The report pack includes a business case developed collaboratively by West Sussex councils, evaluating options for unitary local government. It also includes supplementary statements for different options.

Local Government Reorganisation in West Sussex

The main item for discussion is the final business case for local government reorganisation in West Sussex. Following the government's English Devolution White Paper (December 2024) and invitation to submit LGR proposals, West Sussex councils have been working together to look at options for unitary local government.

The report pack includes a West Sussex LGR Business Case, which Kathryn Hall, Chief Executive, says has been presented to the council for consideration. The cabinet is asked to confirm the council's preferred option, taking into account the council's earlier debate, and to arrange for its submission to the government by the deadline of 26 September 2025.

The report pack says that the government will use six core criteria to assess proposals for unitarisation:

1. A single tier for local government covering the whole of West Sussex.
2. The right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks, suggesting a population size of 500,000 as a guiding principle.
3. Prioritise delivery of high quality and sustainable services.
4. Demonstrate councils have worked together and engaged with local communities.
5. Support devolution arrangements through Combined Authorities and directly elected Mayors.
6. Enable stronger community/neighbourhood empowerment.

The report pack includes a letter from Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, inviting West Sussex councils to submit proposals for LGR, with implementation planned for April 2028. It also includes draft supplementary statements for Option A, favouring a single unitary authority, and Option B, favouring a two-unitary model.

The cabinet is requested to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Councillor Robert Eggleston (Leader of the Council), to finalise the submission to government, comprising the business case and a supporting statement reflecting the council's preferred option. The Chief Executive will pay close attention to the government's criteria and the issues raised in debate by members when constructing the submission.

The report pack notes that since the Local Government Act 1972, local governance in England has been subject to periodic review, with the government's English Devolution White Paper in December 2024 establishing clear expectations that the remaining two-tier areas in England should develop unitary authority proposals. The report pack says that all of Scotland and Wales is already unitarised, and that in England, unitary local government is also well established in all areas other than the 21 areas that are the subject of this round of reorganisation.

The report pack outlines a timetable for LGR in West Sussex:

• 26 September 2025: Each council submits its preferred option
• Autumn 2025: Government led consultation on options
• Early 2026 (Jan to April): Ministerial decision on which option should be implemented in West Sussex
• September – December 2026: Structural Change Order(s) (SCO) come into force
• Jan to April 2027: Implementation Executive and Team in place
• May 2027: Elections for new council(s) and start of shadow year
• April 2028: Vesting day for new council(s)

The report pack says that detailed implementation planning will commence upon government confirmation, focusing on service continuity, staff engagement, and community preparation for transition.