'No decision' yet after Worthing council asked to consider postponing May elections

An extraordinary meeting of the full council has been set for Tuesday, January 13, after conservative councillors’ request for a requisition was accepted.

This was in response to a letter, sent by the Minister of State for Local Government, Alison McGovern, on December 18. It was sent to local authorities across the UK, where local government reorganisation is being progressed towards new unitary authorities, and who are currently required to hold local elections in 2026.

The minister's letter requires a response from the leader of the council by January 15 as to whether or not they believe the council has capacity or funds to hold the May 2026 elections, with a view to potentially calling off these elections.

Worthing’s Conservative group said said time was ‘fast running out’ for this matter to be debated by full council.

"Yet in September 2025, prior to submitting the council's response to the Local Government Reorganisation consultation, the council did hold an extraordinary meeting to allow councillors to debate these issues and for the public to be able to attend the meeting and ask questions of the council,” they added.

A spokesman for the Conservative group said: "There appeared to have been a deliberate attempt at side stepping of this issue by the Labour council.

"Elections are key to local democracy and any suggestion that the minister should consider any recommendation from the leader of the council, that may lead to the cancellation of elections, we were determined should be debated and discussed in an open forum at a full council meeting, where councillors can all contribute and the public can come, listen and ask questions.

"We are pleased that the mayor has accepted our requisition and are keen to hear from the leader of the council telling the public and councillors what their plans are.

"Members of the public are able to attend and listen to this meeting and if they wish they can submit a question to the council on this or other matters, any questions should be sent to [email protected] no later than 12 noon on Thursday 8th January 2026."

Worthing Borough Council confirmed on Monday, January 5 that an extraordinary meeting of the full council has been set. It will take place at Worthing Town Hall, at 6.30pm, on Tuesday, January 13.

A statement from Worthing Labour Group: "Following receipt of the minister’s letter on 18th December asking the council to consider a postponement of the Worthing 2026 May elections on the grounds of capacity and the council’s ability to deliver local government reorganisation, we are carefully considering the reasons set out. No decision has yet been taken.

"We are awaiting further detailed information from officers to enable full and proper consideration of the request. We welcome the opportunity for a full council meeting to discuss and debate the matter with all members before any decision is reached.”