Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 23, 2025

Purpose: The Government published a White Paper on English Devolution in December last year, which contained proposals for the restructuring of existing councils into a new streamlined single tier of local government.  This proposal is called Local Government Reorganisation. The Cabinet will be asked to decide on West Sussex County Council’s preferred option for local government reorganisation in West Sussex and agree the submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Content: Following consideration of the report the Cabinet resolved: (1)        To support option A as the Council’s preferred solution for Local Government Reorganisation in West Sussex; (2)        To authorise the Leader of the Council to write to the Government setting out the Council’s preference; (3)        To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any final adjustments to the supporting statement before the deadline for submission. (4)        Agree to request the Minister consider if the high bar for deferring the county council elections in May 2026 has been met. Due to the need for this matter to be determined as soon as possible the Cabinet has secured agreement from the Executive Director of Law, Assurance and Insight and the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee Chairman for this key decision to be taken urgently (Part 4, Section 1, Standing Order 3.54) so that the submission can be made to government within the deadline, as the delay of waiting for the call-in period to elapse would prejudice the County Council’s interests.