Residents of Eastbourne are being asked for their views on the Government’s plans to reorganise local government. People can agree or disagree with the proposal to set up a Sussex-wide Mayor and a single authority.
The consultation runs until 13 April.
Paul Bromley takes an in-depth look at the issue.
What is devolution?
A House of Commons research briefing paper published in May 2024 said:
“Devolution is the term used to describe the process of transferring power from the centre (Westminster) to the nations and regions of the United Kingdom. The term is derived from the Latin, meaning “to roll down”.
“It is different from a federal or confederal system of government, under which every constituent part of a state enjoys autonomy and sovereignty. Under the UK constitutional tradition of parliamentary sovereignty, devolution is, in theory, reversible, and the devolved institutions products of UK statute.”
Why is it being discussed now?
The Government published a proposal last December to devolve more powers to regional mayors, including a new Mayor for the whole of Sussex covering East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove.
The current two-tier system of county councils and district / borough councils would be replaced by a single authority known as a unitary authority.
What powers will the new single authority have?
The Government has listed some of the aspects of public life which might come under the control of a Mayoral Combined County Authority.
These include:
- Funding to support regeneration and housebuilding
- Funding education, skills and training for adults aged 19 and above
- Powers to award bus contracts and improve services
- Active travel such as walking, wheeling, and cycling
- Governing, managing, planning and developing the rail network
- Manage major roads to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, introduce bus priority or cycle infrastructure
- Moves to a low-cost, clean power energy system
- Take over the responsibility for supporting the safety of residents from the Police and Crime Commissioner and Fire and Rescue Authority
Timeline
Past
1859 – first elected authority: the Local Board for the District of the Parish of Eastbourne
1883 – charter granted to form the Borough of Eastbourne
1911 – Borough of Eastbourne gained county borough status
1974 – Eastbourne Borough Council created in local government reorganisation
Present
December 2024 – Government publishes devolution white paper proposing regional mayors with more powers over housing, transport, education and employment. Lower tier authorities such as Eastbourne Borough Council would be abolished.
9 January 2025 – leaders of East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, and Brighton and Hove City Council apply to the Government for Sussex to be a priority area for devolution and ask for county council elections planned for May to be postponed
5 February 2025 – Government confirms Sussex will be one of the priority areas for devolution and that elections will be postponed
17 February 2025 – Government publishes consultation document on creating a Mayoral Combined County Authority
Future
13 April 2025 – Government consultation closes at 23:59
Spring 2025 – Government considers responses to consultation; ministers decide whether to proceed with mayoral authority
May 2026 – if approved by ministers, possible date for election of first directly-elected Mayor for East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove
Who is in control of each authority in East Sussex?
Tier 1
East Sussex County Council – Conservative minority
Tier 2
Eastbourne Borough Council – Liberal Democrat
Hastings Borough Council – Green / Independent
Lewes District Council – Green / Labour
Rother District Council – a coalition called the ‘Rother Alliance’ comprising Labour / Lib Dem / Green and some independents
Wealden District Council – Lib Dem / Green
What does the Government say?
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner MP, who is also Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said in December: “I am wasting no time in finally giving local leaders and communities the tools they need to deliver growth for their area and raise living standards in every part of the country … It is a failure of government that for so many years our potential has been untapped.
“Ending this cycle means a permanent shift of power away from Whitehall and into the hands of those who know their communities best.
“It means efficient and accountable local and regional government, with local champions who understand their local places, their identities and strengths, and how to harness them.”
What does the Conservative leader of East Sussex County Council say?
The leaders of East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, and Brighton and Hove City Council support moves to a Mayor and combined authority.
Cllr Keith Glazier, leader of ESCC, said: “I believe this is excellent news for the people of Sussex because it’s an opportunity for more decisions to be made locally and for greater investment here. I’m pleased the government has recognised our potential to prosper and develop together.”
What does the Liberal Democrat leader of Eastbourne Borough Council say?
Cllr Stephen Holt, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, along with the leaders of Hastings, Wealden and Lewes councils, issued a statement saying devolution had to be “done with the consent of residents, businesses and partners”.
They added: “Whilst we object to this decision, we will – as always – put the best interests of residents ahead of everything. The services that the districts and borough councils provide are multiple and vary greatly even within East Sussex. We will work together to protect them.
“We will do everything in our power to promote the vital importance of Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, and Wealden, ensuring that the services that matter most to our residents are not downgraded as part of any reorganisation.”
What does Eastbourne’s MP say?
Speaking in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Josh Babarinde told Angela Rayner: “It is disgraceful that Eastbourne Conservative councillors have voted for the cancellation of local elections in my town and in Sussex this May, with no consultation, no democracy and no mandate from the people of Eastbourne.
“They have secured themselves an extra year to squat in County Hall, to press ahead with cuts to Linden Court day centre for people with learning disabilities, Milton Grange for people with dementia, and many more.”
Why is it controversial?
The Government’s timetable means the postponement of elections to East Sussex County Council (ESCC) which were scheduled to take place in May.
Elections to ESCC are normally held every four years – the last set of elections were held in May 2021 when the Conservatives won an overall majority with 27 out of the 50 seats. The Tories retained control of ESCC with a reduced majority.
But when Liberal Democrat Brett Wright won the Meads by-election in August 2023, previously held by Conservative Barry Taylor (coming a month after the Greens won the Heathfield and Mayfield division from the Tories in a by-election), it meant the Conservatives lost overall control of ESCC.
The Conservatives currently have 25 seats and all the other parties combined also have 25 county councillors. The Tories govern as a minority administration.
Have elections been postponed before?
Fact-checking organisation Full Fact has challenged claims that the elections are being “cancelled”. It says other polls including county council elections have been postponed for local government reorganisation.
It says: “In May 2021, under the previous Conservative government, elections that were due to take place in three county councils – Cumbria, Somerset and North Yorkshire – were delayed until May 2022 as those councils moved to become unitary authorities.
“Other types of council have also had elections delayed for various reasons. In 2019 and 2020 too, some district council elections were also cancelled due to reorganisation, while others saw delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak.”
Is it ‘undemocratic’ to postpone elections?
The Institute for Government (IfG), an independent think tank, says postponing the elections planned for May has upped the stakes.
The IfG adds: “Nonetheless, given the decision to deprive nearly six million voters of the right to vote this May, it is incumbent on the government to ensure that it now proceeds with both devolution and local government reorganisation on the planned timetable, so that elections do not turn out to have been cancelled for no good reason.”
:: Paul Bromley is a former local government correspondent and part of the Eastbourne Reporter editorial team
:: This is an independent, not-for-profit news website reporting for the community.
We interview people, ask questions and spend time on research. We do not copy and paste chunks of PR or social media content to fill space.
If our coverage helps you understand our community a little better, please support Eastbourne Reporter with a one-off or monthly donation here on KoFi for any amount you want. This social enterprise needs your support to continue.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
