Government agrees expansion to Brighton & Hove boundary as part of wider programme of Local Government Reorganisation

Residents and local businesses across Brighton & Hove, East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven will be brought together under a new local authority area, following confirmation from the government today. 

Brighton & Hove City Council will now work closely with Lewes District Council, East Sussex County Council, the town and parish councils, and residents to ensure this transition is smooth and effective.

The new authority will take formal responsibility for services across the new footprint from 1 April 2028. 

Ahead of that, a shadow council with responsibility for setting up the new authority will be elected in May 2027.

Residents in all areas will continue to receive services as they do today until April 2028. Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and Lewes District Council will remain responsible for services in their areas while the transition is delivered safely, legally and well.

A stronger future for all our communities 

Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “This is an important decision for residents that reflects the natural and practical connections between the special and unique communities in East Saltdean, Telscombe, Peacehaven and Brighton & Hove. 

“We recognise that there have been strongly held views on Local Government Reorganisation, and some residents will remain sceptical.”

“As we embark on the next stage of this process, I hope that we can start from a point of shared history, deep connections, and genuine partnership. 

“Day-to-day we all already travel along the same roads, our children go to the same schools and colleges, we work in the same places and we use the same local business. This announcement from government means we can build on the best services currently provided across all authorities and work to deliver better outcomes for all our residents.

“I look forward to working with Lewes District Council, East Sussex County Council, the towns and parishes and residents to do this. 

Councillor Jacob Allen, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Public Realm & Local Government Reorganisation at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Today's announcement gives us clarity for planning and delivering changes that will benefit residents from all areas of the new footprint.

“Our focus now is making sure that the 700 services we provide for residents, businesses and visitors are efficient and respond to local needs. 

“I want to reaffirm to residents, businesses, community groups and public sector partners across Brighton & Hove, East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven that this is the start of creating a local authority that works for our communities, but not the end. 

"We will continue to engage with residents, their representatives and their town and parish councils as we move forward in this process.”

What is a shadow council and the key dates?

The role of the shadow council for Brighton & Hove is to have oversight of the creation of the new council, ensuring it is ready to assume responsibility of services across the whole area in April 2028. 

This includes but is not limited to: 

• agreeing the structure of the new council
• setting up governance arrangements 
• approving the budget and council constitution 
• agreeing how the council will operate once it formally begins 
• preparing the council for staff and services to transition into the new authority safely, legally and performing well.

This work is essential to make sure that services continue without disruption when responsibility transfers from the existing councils to the new authority.

It is anticipated that currently standing Brighton & Hove City Council and Lewes District Council members will have their term extended until 1 April 2028 to sit on their respective current council. They will be responsible for day-to-day council business and ward responsibilities as usual and the smooth transition once the shadow authority is elected. They will have the opportunity to stand for election to the shadow council in May 2027.

The timetable for these changes to be put in place is:

• Autumn 2026 – Structural Changes Order creating the new council laid in Parliament
• May 2027 – Elections to the new shadow council for Brighton & Hove on the new footprint
• 1 April 2028 – Vesting Day when the new authority formally comes into effect and takes over from the shadow council