Residents, businesses and community groups across the county are being invited to share their views about the future of their councils as part of an important survey launching on 17 July.
The survey asks respondents about where they live or work, the council services they use, as well as their thoughts about how their council could be structured in the future. The survey will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 13 August.
All councils in the area – Adur District Council, Arun District Council, Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council, West Sussex County Council and Worthing Borough Council - are working together to gather views that will help shape proposals for the future of local government in the county. The government has asked councils to explore how local government reorganisation could work in the area, with the aim of creating a new unitary council model, or models – replacing the current two-tier system with a single-tier council responsible for all local services.
Leader of the Council Cllr Martin Boffey commented: “The process of local government reorganisation will bring significant changes to how our area is represented, how services are managed, and how they are delivered for our residents.
"The government has asked us to ensure that the model we propose aligns with local needs and is shaped by local voices. Our residents, businesses, and communities are at the centre of this. That is why it is so important that we hear from as many people as possible at this stage. Whether you live, work, or run a business in Horsham District, your views will play a vital role in shaping the proposals we develop.
I am committed to ensuring our recommendations to government are informed by the people they will affect most, all of us who call this area home.
“I strongly encourage everyone to share their views in our survey "
Local government reorganisation is a process of restructuring local government to simplify the way services are delivered. Instead of having separate county and district or borough councils, a unitary model brings everything together into one organisation – from bin collections and housing to education and adult social care. Town or parish councils will remain as they are.
This is different from devolution, which involves transferring powers from central government to regions and will create a Mayoral Combined Authority for Sussex and Brighton. Local government reorganisation focuses on simplifying existing local structures and services.
This is a significant change that will affect how local services are run in the future – and how decisions are made about the things that matter most to you. That’s why it’s vital that residents, businesses and community groups have their say at this early stage.
Once the business case has been submitted on 26 September 2025, the Government will begin a formal consultation process. A Government decision on local government reorganisation in West Sussex is expected in spring 2026. After this we will further engage with residents, staff, councillors and businesses on the design of how the new council will look. Further engagement will follow in line with the chosen model and implementation schedule.
Whatever changes are agreed, vital local services will continue – from waste collection and public health to care for older people and support for families. The aim of local government reorganisation is not to reduce services, but to simplify how they are delivered and to ensure that local voices are heard more clearly in decision-making.
Take part in the survey
The survey is now live and will be open until 11.59pm on 13 August. Whether you’ve lived in the area for decades, work here or have just moved in, your views are important. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new council that works for you, your family and your community.