Local government reorganisation
Local government reorganisation refers to the creation of unitary authorities in place of district, borough and county councils.
In our area this means Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council would cease to exist and a new council – called a Unitary Authority - covering all their main services would take their place.
The Government has said the new council must provide new services to a minimum of 500,000 residents. This means the new Unitary Authority would cover at least four or five current district council areas. Which areas these would be isn’t yet decided. It is likely this new Unitary Authority council would be elected in May 2027 and start on 1 April 2028.
Latest news
On 21 March 2025, West Sussex councils submitted their draft interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon. This submission outlines progress and seeks guidance on several critical issues to ensure a successful final submission in September 2025.
Read the submission document sent to the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution.
How this affects parish councils in Horsham District
Existing town and parish councils will remain. When a new large council (Unitary Authority) is set up in this way it is usual to transfer some services that are very local to the towns and parishes. These services and facilities may include parks, open spaces, war memorials, public toilets, playgrounds, community halls and community libraries.
The Leader and Chief Executive of Horsham District Council started visiting the larger parishes in Horsham District throughout February and March this year to start the conversation about whether these facilities could be run locally by them.
Timeline
March 2025 – Outline plans submitted to government
September 2025 – Detailed plans finalised with government
March 2026 - The new strategic authority would be created
May 2026 - Mayoral elections to be held
May 2027 - Elections to new (shadow) unitary authorities
1 April 2028 – Vesting day for the new unitary authority
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. Local Government Reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils.
No. As far as we are concerned, it is business as usual, and we will continue to support our communities to the high standards that they expect. We will just need to carefully consider any long-term decisions that may impact on any future reorganisation.
All current authorities in Sussex will cease to exist on the transfer date and all staff will move across to the newly formed authority.
All services provided by county, unitary, district and borough councils will continue. There may also be some services that are currently delivered by county, unitary, district and borough councils that may transfer to the new strategic authority.
If Local Government Reorganisation takes place, then Horsham District Council will no longer be an entity once the new Unitary Authority is established. However, councillors will be able to put themselves forward as candidates for the new authority.
If the Government decides to go ahead with Local Government Reorganisation then a Structural Order will be laid in Parliament. This will set out in detail what will happen to all assets and liabilities, including reserves, for all of the councils merging to form the new unitary council. Where other local government reorganisations have taken place, assets, liabilities and reserves were not ringfenced.