Frequently asked questions about local government reorganisation

What is happening with Local Government Reorganisation?

The Government has announced that it is minded to proceed with local government reorganisation in East Sussex. It proposes to implement the One East Sussex proposal submitted jointly by Hastings and four other East Sussex councils, but with a significant boundary modification transferring four wards from Lewes district into an expanded Brighton & Hove authority.

Under the Government’s revised timetable, elections to the new shadow authorities are expected to take place in May 2028, with the new councils becoming operational in April 2029.

The Government has confirmed that both the original One East Sussex proposal and the modified option meet all six of its criteria. It found that the alternative five-unitary proposal did not meet three of the criteria, principally because of implementation costs, concerns about financial sustainability, potential disruption to public services and the fact that it was developed in isolation from other councils.

No final decision has yet been made. There will now be a period of at least three weeks for new information and further representations before the Government reaches its final view.

Read more in our press release.

The current indicative timetable is:

• Structural Change Order made by Government - TBC
• Shadow authority established - TBC
• Elections to the new authority - May 2028
• Shadow authority prepares the new council - 2028-2029
• New authority goes live (vesting day) - April 2029.

Until vesting day, Hastings Borough Council will continue delivering services as normal.

Below are some frequently asked questions about LGR. We will update these as more information becomes available.

Are councils already working together ahead of LGR?

Yes. Councils across East Sussex are already working together on areas such as service mapping, data sharing and exploring shared service arrangements where appropriate.
This work helps ensure the new authority has the information it needs to operate effectively from vesting day.

How does local government reorganisation affect residents?

The aim of reorganisation is to simplify council structures, improve efficiency, and make services easier for residents to access. Ultimately, it should mean better value for money and stronger decision-making closer to communities.

Does this solve the issue of council finances?

Not on its own. All councils continue to face serious financial pressures. Without wider reform of local government funding, any new structure will still face challenges, starting with a major financial shortfall. However, reorganisation is an important step in making the system simpler and more sustainable.

Where can I read the business cases that were submitted to the government?

The full business cases and covering letter are available to download.

What happens with the councillors who were elected in the local elections in May 2026?

Local elections for Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council took place in May 2026 as scheduled. These councillors are expected to serve their term as usual.

The current indicative timetable is:

• April 2028 - shadow authority established (TBC)
• May 2028 - elections to the new unitary authority/authorities
• April 2029 - new authority/authorities go live (vesting day).

Will councillors still make decisions during the transition?

Yes. Until the new authority goes live in April 2029, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council will continue to operate as normal and councillors will continue to make decisions about services, budgets and policies.

Once the new authority has been elected in May 2028, a shadow authority will also be established. Its role will be to prepare the new council so it is ready to take over responsibilities on vesting day in April 2029.

During the shadow period, the existing councils will continue delivering services while the shadow authority focuses on planning the future organisation.

Will Hastings still exist as a place if the council is abolished?

Yes. Local Government Reorganisation changes how councils are organised, but it does not change the identity of places such as Hastings.

Hastings will continue to exist as a town and community with its own history, identity and representation.

Local communities will continue to be represented by councillors in the new authority, and there may also be options in the future for local governance arrangements such as town or parish councils if considered appropriate.