The Government has announced significant changes to the structure of local government across Sussex, which will be introduced over the next few years.
The first stage of these reforms will be the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority for Sussex. Residents will, in due course, be asked to elect a Mayor for Sussex, who will lead the new authority.
The Mayoral Combined Authority is expected to have responsibility for a range of strategic functions across East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove. These may include areas such as housing, transport, economic growth, skills and employment, policing and other strategic services. The Government has not yet confirmed the full range of responsibilities or the location of the authority’s headquarters.
Alongside these changes, local government across Sussex will also be reorganised. The existing district, borough and county councils, together with Brighton & Hove City Council, will be replaced by a smaller number of unitary authorities, each responsible for delivering all principal local government services within their area.
The Government has not yet confirmed how many unitary councils will be created or the precise boundaries they will cover, although current proposals suggest there are likely to be two or three authorities across Sussex. For Hailsham residents, this means that Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council are expected to be replaced by a new unitary authority from April 2028.
What does this mean for Hailsham Town Council?
At present, these changes will not affect Hailsham Town Council, which will continue to operate as it does now, representing the local community and delivering its existing range of services and facilities.
However, as the new unitary authorities are established, there may be opportunities for town and parish councils to take on responsibility for additional local services where it is considered appropriate and beneficial to do so. Any such proposals would be discussed with local councils over the coming years before decisions are made.
For now, residents can be assured that Hailsham Town Council will continue to provide its current services and support to the community, while keeping a close watch on the progress of local government reorganisation and keeping residents informed as further details become available.