We must protect local democracy 

CPRE Sussex Director’s column written for The Argus 28 February 2026

Last week the Government announced a U-turn on its controversial bid to postpone local elections across the country. Elections will now take place for East and West Sussex County councils, as well as for Adur, Crawley and Worthing district councils.  

The decision is a much-needed win for local democracy at a time when power is increasingly being centralised. The upcoming elections are also an opportunity to ensure our newly elected councillors back the countryside and green spaces. 

Climate, nature and affordable housing are in disastrous positions. But public support for the countryside is strong.    

Recent research commissioned by the national CPRE charity revealed 7 in 10 people believe the amount of land protected for nature and wellbeing should be increased. 

More than 8 in 10 people believe it is possible to build the homes the UK needs while safeguarding the countryside for future generations.   

At a time when politics is so often divisive, the countryside crosses party lines. 

Local government reorganisation 

Of course, this year’s elections are taking place at an uncertain time. Earlier this year the Government closed its public consultation on plans to reorganise councils in East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove. 

Four proposals for different unitary authorities were included, each of which was backed by different councils. One thing is clear, however. Whichever proposal is chosen, the result will be a loss of local knowledge and nuance in decisions. 

In each case, decision-making on many issues will take place further away from the local communities affected, leaving us with a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to serve the needs of smaller communities. 

Worse still, public awareness of these changes appears to be worryingly low, with few people even aware the consultation was taking place. 

Our concerns 

For rural communities, there are particular reasons to be wary about plans to consolidate local councils. We saw the effects of centralisation clearly in the appointment of Police and Crime Commissioners. Police services were withdrawn from rural villages, leaving communities feeling abandoned. Central and local government leaders might usefully learn from that experience, not repeat it. 

We are also concerned that none of the proposals mention words like ‘countryside’ or ‘nature’. This shows a lack of regard for Sussex’s unique qualities, including its rurality, ecosystems and special landscapes.  

Basing decision making in urban centres also risks losing the local knowledge needed to achieve truly sustainable development. This makes it critical that there is a strengthened role for parish and town councils to ensure local concerns are heard in decision-making. However, disappointingly, the recent consultation had nothing to say on the future role of this most-local tier of government. 

Our message to local leaders 

With the Sussex mayoral elections delayed until 2028, it is even more important that we get the infrastructure of our new local government right. But the proposals so far seem to be more about centralising rather than devolving. 

Local political leaders should take note of two key things. First, protecting and enhancing the countryside is a priority for people from all walks of life. Second, local voices must be at the heart of local decision making. 

Read more on our response to local government reorganisation in our latest column for the Argus here.