While we were expecting a final decision from the Government this month on the proposed reorganisation of West Sussex authorities, the Government announced on 25 March 2026 that no decision has been reached. Instead, a second consultation will be launched following the local elections in May.

What this means for Chichester

The new consultation will explore two specific modifications to previous proposals:

• New Unitary Alignment: One proposal involves moving Chichester District Council into a unitary authority alongside Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council, and Mid Sussex District Council.
• The Coastal Split: This would leave a separate unitary authority comprising Arun, Adur, and Worthing.
• Boundary Shifts: Additional changes are proposed for the Lewes and Brighton & Hove borders.

The Revised Timeline

Despite the delay in the decision-making process, the ultimate “go-live” date remains unchanged:

• Consultation Period: Starts after May 2026 Local Elections
• Final Decision: Summer 2026
• Shadow Authority Elections: May 2027
• New Authorities Launch: April 2028

We will be reaching out to you to get your feedback on the proposals after Easter. If you want to read more detail, it can be accessed from here.