The government has halted the planned restructure of local government in West Sussex, meaning Bognor Regis residents will continue to vote for the existing Arun District Council for the foreseeable future.
Housing and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner confirmed the pause in Parliament on 7 September 2026. The decision follows “updated and privileged legal advice” suggesting the current reorganisation process might not be legally robust.
The move effectively cancels plans for a “shadow council” to be elected next year. Instead, the local elections scheduled for May 2027 will now proceed using existing district and borough boundaries. For Bognor Regis, this ensures that seats for Arun District Council will be contested under the current two-tier system, alongside West Sussex County Council.
“Frustrating” Delay for Arun Leaders
The pause has met with criticism from local leadership who have spent months preparing for a transition to a unitary authority model.
Martin Lury, the Leader of Arun District Council, described the sudden change in direction as “frustrating.” He warned that the delay “compresses the time available to plan and deliver a safe transition” should the government decide to proceed with the shake-up at a later date.
The local government reorganisation (LGR) programme aimed to simplify the current system, where responsibilities are split between the county council and smaller district or borough authorities. However, these plans are now on hold.
Impact on the 2027 Elections
The immediate practical consequence for voters in Bognor Regis and across West Sussex is the confirmation of the May 2027 election format.
Had the reorganisation continued, residents would likely have been voting for a new type of authority. Under the pause, the status quo remains:
- Services such as planning, housing, and refuse collection stay with Arun District Council.
- Strategic services including highways, social care, and education remain with West Sussex County Council.
- The May 2027 elections will be for the existing district and borough seats.
West Sussex is one of 14 areas across the country where reorganisation plans are being reviewed, alongside Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, as the government reassesses the legal framework for changing how councils are structured.
In a joint response from West Sussex authorities, councils acknowledged the pause while the national review continues. For now, all council services will continue to operate as normal under the existing two-tier structure.
