Conservatives on East Sussex County Council have welcomed the new Leader's reiteration that the One East Sussex proposal for local government reorganisation in the county is the best way forward.
During a Strategic Management meeting today (June 11), the authority demanded that government Ministers urgently heed the opinions of local people its plans for council reorganisation.
Responding to a Government consultation, the county council said it strongly disagreed with proposals to move 23,900 residents of Peacehaven. Telscombe, East Saltdean, and Falmer into an expanded Brighton & Hove City Council from 2028.
The county council pointed to the ‘very strong local feelings’ against the plan and the Leader, Andrew Woolley, said the newest proposals "stand in the face of clear, repeated local opposition. Residents have consistently raised serious concerns - it’s a pattern of sustained and meaningful objection.
“If we are serious about local democracy, then local voices must count. Especially when they’re expressed so clearly and so consistently", he added.
Conservative Group Leader, (Cllr Paul Redstone), speaking on behalf of his group, said: "We are pleased that Cllr Woolley has reiterated the position of the previous County Council which is that the One East Sussex proposal with no changes to boundaries is the only sensible one.
"Previous consultations with local residents showed them to be overwhelmingly against become part of Brighton. Such boundary changes would also increase the costs and disruption, and reduce the benefits of Local Government Reorganisation."
The Secretary of State’s proposal is a modified version of the One East Sussex proposal from local councils, which suggests a single unitary authority for the whole county.
When announcing his proposed expansion of Brighton & Hove, the Secretary of State claimed that without it he would be limiting the city’s future potential as a “key economic engine” and would do nothing to help combat housing affordability in the city.
But East Sussex County Council’s response says the new proposals offer no clarity over how the change of boundaries would address these issues.
“There is no evidence available that justifies the potential modification – no analysis has been provided to demonstrate that the communities in question identify with BHCC or that there would be any service and financial sustainability benefits,” it says.
