Hastings’ Local Government Reorganisation submission

Following Full Council and Special Cabinet meetings on Wednesday 24 September, Hastings Borough Council has formally sent three options for local government reorganisation (LGR) to the government. 

The council’s Cabinet endorsed the one East Sussex unitary model, but business cases and proposals for a coastal unitary model and the district and borough federated model were all sent to the government as part of their plans to reorganise local councils across Sussex and Brighton into one tier.

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of Hastings Borough Council, said: “I’m really pleased with the cross-party work we have been able to do on this in Hastings, I'd like to thank councillors and officers who have been part of the working group for all the time and effort that has gone into preparing all three of these business cases. We’ve also heard from hundreds of residents giving their views on these options over the summer.  

“Because we had such different opinions on the best way forward, we have sent all three options to the government and wait to hear their feedback and further consultation which we are expecting over the winter.” 

Cllr Julia Hilton, deputy leader and lead councillor for shaping place, said: “It is really important to note that none of these models solves the problem of local government finance being under funded and without financial reform they will all run into problems.” 

The four group leaders at Hastings Borough Council (Green, Labour, Conservative and Hastings Independents Group) have also all signed a letter to the Secretary of State officially requesting that the borough elections scheduled for May 2026 are postponed.   

The final business cases that have been submitted to government along with the covering letter to the minister will be available to read online shortly.