East Sussex County Council applies for judicial review challening plans to make East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe part of Brighton and Hove

In July, the government confirmed that East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe would be removed from the Lewes district under Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans.

These areas would then fall under the jurisdiction of Brighton and Hove City Council.

On Friday, October 16, an ESCC spokesperson told this newspaper: “We have lodged an application for judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s decision on LGR (local government reorganisation), which would see 26,000 people being transferred across the boundary to Brighton and Hove. This is despite residents in the affected areas consistently raising serious concerns and overwhelmingly saying they wish to remain in East Sussex.”

The news of ESCC’s application comes after housing and communities secretary Angela Rayner said on September 7 that the government would pause and review plans for LGR in 14 areas, including East Sussex and Brighton.

The ESCC spokesperson continued: “The application has been lodged on a protective basis to preserve the council’s position in relation to the applicable legal time limit while the government’s review is undertaken. We are seeking a stay of the proceedings pending the outcome of that review, at which point it will consider its next steps.

“We maintain that reorganisation would work best keeping East Sussex together and remain focused on delivering excellent services to residents.”

Lewes District Council (LDC) also objects to the move and is taking legal steps as well.

LDC leader Zoe Nicholson recently welcomed the government’s pause and review of the proposals, but said LDC would do everything in its power to protect the best interests of residents ‘until the plans to annex parts of our district are abandoned’. On October 2, LDC said it was starting protective legal action that aims to preserve the council’s legal position while the government undertakes its review. Councillor Nicholson said the step would make sure the council has ‘all legal options’ open to it if needed. LDC added that its action is being taken within the ‘strict timescales’ applying to judicial review proceedings while the review is carried out.

Brighton & Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said on Monday, October 19: “The proposals we put forward for Brighton & Hove to merge with communities on our eastern border are robust and evidence-based. People regularly cross this boundary to travel to work or college, to see friends and family, or for appointments, shopping and leisure. By coming together as one local authority area, people using our services would have more say over them.

“We understand that East Sussex County Council and Lewes District Council are seeking to challenge this process, which is disappointing in view of the potential this opportunity presents to shape the future of local government. In the meantime we await the outcome of the Government’s review.”