About Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

In December 2024, the government announced plans for district and county councils to be abolished to make way for new Unitary councils and a regional system of Mayors.

On Wednesday 5 February, it was announced that East Sussex will be on the priority list for devolution and that the county council elections due in May 2025 will be cancelled. There will be elections in 2026 for a new Mayor of Sussex instead. The timescale for changes to the structures of district and borough councils is still unclear.

Hastings Borough Council has submitted feedback to the government about the Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Combined County Authority and is waiting for more information.

The council, along with other councils in East Sussex, also responded to the government's request for proposals on how local councils could be rearranged, as part of Local Government Reorganisation. We are waiting for further information on this response.

We will update this page with more information and details on devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

Read our statement on the 5 February announcement

Read the Local Government Association's (LGA) frequently asked questions and information about devolution

Find out more about devolution in East Sussex

Find out more about local government reorganisation in East Sussex