Conservative County Council ignore public to back ‘super council’ run from Chichester

The Liberal Democrats have issued a strong rebuke to the Conservative-led West Sussex County Cabinet for its recommendation to pursue a single county unitary authority despite overwhelming public, stakeholder, and staff opposition.

“This Cabinet suffers from a glaring absence of democratic mandate,” said new Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Jay Mercer. “Had full elections gone ahead this May, it is widely accepted that the Conservatives would not be in power. They lost all five County Council by-elections held this year.” 

“Yet they press ahead with a deeply unpopular super council proposal. Conservatives are ignoring the voices of residents, councillors, stakeholders and staff alike. It is arrogant, it is undemocratic, and it is wrong.”

Less than a quarter of responses to the West Sussex consultation supported the Conservative plan for a single unitary council covering all West Sussex. The majority of responses, and all seven district and borough councils, backed two unitary authorities. The only body to support a single unitary authority is West Sussex County Council, which cancelled its 2025 elections and wants them cancelled again in 2026.

Under the Conservative plan the proposed unitary would be the second largest in the UK, with only Birmingham City Council being larger.  This would make residents less well represented, with each councillor responsible to nearly 10,000 residents. 

Newly-elected Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader Cllr Sam Raby said: “Conservatives centralising more power in Chichester would make the Council less efficient, less responsive, and less in touch with Horsham residents.”

“Liberal Democrats voted against having a single, oversized council based in Chichester. We believe in meaningful local democracy that is accountable to residents.”
 

Notes to Editors:

In the consultation, 23% of stakeholders supported a single unitary model. 62% favoured a two unitary model, with 62% of those preferring the B2 configuration.

58% of stakeholders and staff from 6 out of 7 councils (66–79%) also supported the two unitary model.

West Sussex postponed the 2025 County Council elections and is asking the government to suspend them again in 2026.

Under a single county unitary, the resident-to-councillor ratio would be 9,384:1.

Under a two unitary model, the resident-to-councillor ratio would be 6,391:1 and 6,483:1.