Councils are calling for the postponement of local elections.
Leaders from Sussex have written to the government to support delaying the May 2026 elections to focus resources on a major reorganisation that could replace multiple authorities with new unitary councils.
Councillor Sophie Cox, leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “Since receiving your letter on December 18, this matter has been considered in detail, reflecting both the strength of feeling locally and the scale of the change being undertaken and what would be in the best interests of all residents in Worthing.”
In her letter to the government, Cllr Cox argues that holding elections during this period would restrict decision-making during a critical phase and result in uncertainty for residents.
She points out that councillors elected in 2026 would likely serve less than two years before new unitary elections in 2027, and holding standalone borough elections could impose an unplanned financial burden on the council.
Worthing Borough Council held an extraordinary meeting on January 13 to discuss the government’s request for feedback on delaying elections as part of the reorganisation process.
Members voted in favour of writing to Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, to say that postponing elections could free up capacity to focus on the transition.
Councillor Jeremy Gardner, leader of Adur District Council, has also written to the government in support of postponing the 2026 elections.
Cllr Gardner said: “This is a once in 50 years opportunity to reshape and improve local government.
“There is a potential to create councils that can better work with communities to transform services, improve lives and support business.
“Proceeding with elections in 2026 would require significant senior leadership time, during the election campaign and following the election, drawing capacity away from critical LGR planning.”
He said that a postponement would allow senior officers and councillors to focus on the “complex legal, constitutional and transformational work required for a successful transition.”
This includes decisions about assets, governance structures, service delivery models and engagement with staff and stakeholders.
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Cllr Gardner said: “It is my view that the benefits to Adur of a successful transition to a new council, bringing together services and serving the community, outweigh the benefits of scheduled elections in May for councillors in the final period of Adur District Council.”
Both Worthing and Adur’s positions align with those of Crawley, Hastings and West Sussex County Council, who have taken similar stances.
Without a postponement, Worthing could be the only authority in the area holding elections in May 2026.
The government has said it will consider the views of council leaders who have raised concerns about the impact of running elections this year.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, will now decide whether to issue formal orders allowing the postponement of council elections in affected areas on a case-by-case basis.
In Worthing’s letter, Cllr Cox highlighted additional financial concerns.
She said: “There are also financial considerations, particularly for a council such as Worthing that is in receipt of Exceptional Funding Support.
“The likely postponement of West Sussex County Council and Adur District Council elections creates the possibility that any election held in 2026 would be a standalone poll for Worthing, with the full cost falling on local taxpayers and this extra funding required would be unbudgeted.”
Alison McGovern wrote to affected councils in December, requesting their views on whether delaying elections would help progress reorganisation more smoothly.
New unitary authorities could be announced as early as March 2026.
Councils across England are currently involved in discussions about reducing the number of local authorities to improve efficiency and service delivery.
The creation of unitary councils would mean the replacement of existing district and borough councils, such as Adur and Worthing, with larger, single-tier authorities.
To read the councillor’s letters in full, visit the Adur and Worthing council website.
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