JOINT STATEMENT FROM EAST SUSSEX LEADERS
We were recently informed by the Conservative leader of East Sussex County Council that he is proposing to cancel the planned county council elections in May 2025, in order for Sussex to be considered a priority area for devolution.
The move by Cllr Keith Glazier is a first step towards the creation of a new mayoral combined authority covering East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove and a vast East Sussex council.
In response, we, the leaders of Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Wealden councils, have written to the government to oppose the cancelling of elections, stating that:
‘It is unacceptable that our residents, the voters, won’t decide who runs the county council – the body national government have deemed responsible for reorganisation. It must be up to our residents to decide who makes these changes to services.
‘We support increased regional powers, particularly around public transport, climate action, skills, energy, and planning, but we do not agree with doing this at the expense of local democracy.
‘We are not against devolution, but we all believe most strongly that the elections must go ahead and the plans for a new council overseen by councillors that local people vote for in May.
‘This would then allow two years to ensure a new authority is shaped by consultation with residents, businesses and other key stakeholders. They must all have a full voice in this process.’
We have written to the Minister of State, Jim McMahon and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Taylor and await their response.
Signed by:
Councillor Rachel Millward, Leader of Wealden District Council, Councillor Zoe Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council, Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Councillor Julia Hilton, Leader of Hastings Borough Council.