Local Government news from Cllr Rex Whittaker, February 2026
LOCAL COUNCILS
This is historically a very intense and busy time for all councils across the country as they work to set a hopefully-balanced budget for the 2026/27 civic and financial year. During the past ten years this has proved more difficult as successive governments have steadily and incrementally reduced the amount of central support grant to councils to zero. Many councils have large running deficits and have issued Section 118 notices to central Government signalling that they need financial assistance.
Fortunately none of our direct Sussex local councils are in this position. However many cost pressures remain with inflation-proof external contracts such as waste collection/recycling, along with many others.
County Councils in particular face ever-increasing demands for SEND education, and children and adult social care services. East Grinstead Town Council will raise their small element of council tax by 6.44%. MSDC propose to raise their element by 2.95%. West Sussex County Council similarly are seeking a 4.99 % increase.
ELECTIONS
A bombshell announcement on 16 February from central Government was to reinstate Sussex County Council elections for 7 May this year – after being told they would not be held until 2027 (due to the formation of new unitary authorities).
There will now be a big scramble by everyone involved to get all administration papers and programmes ready to comply with Electoral Law – as effectively the campaign will only have ten weeks to be completed from a standing start.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
In March we are eagerly expecting a huge Government announcement about the final choices in Sussex for local council re-organisation, following an exhaustive consultation programme during 2025. This is needed urgently as there is a lot of administration work to be completed in the next two years to amalgamate and consolidate so many separate Sussex councils by the April 2028 deadline.
Given the Government’s recent track record of making ‘about turn’ policy changes, we hope for clarity and stability in this the biggest ‘shake up’ of local government for over fifty years.
OTHER DIARY DATES
MSDC full Council meetings 25 February, 25 March and 22 April
East Grinstead Town Council meetings 21 April and 14 May ‘Mayor making’
East Grinstead Health check event on Saturday 14 March at Meridian Hall, East Court.
Rotary Charity Colour fun run Sunday 19 April, EG Sports Club
East Grinstead Rugby Club Sunshine 7’s Charity tournament Sunday 26 April
Mid Sussex Marathon, Saturday 2 May, East Grinstead Rugby Club
East Grinstead Lions May Fayre, Monday 4 May Bank Holiday