Ministers are minded to add Peacehaven, Telscombe and East Saltdean to Brighton & Hove after all. Falmer stays out; the new council would start 1 April 2029.

The plan to make Brighton & Hove bigger is back on. The government said today that it is “minded to” bring East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven inside the city, seven weeks after it paused the idea.

The decision is provisional. People will have at least three weeks to argue for or against it, and Parliament must approve it before anything changes.

The announcement came in a written statement to the Commons from Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth (HCWS432, 29 October 2026). Brighton & Hove is one of five areas where ministers now intend to go ahead. The others are Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire (GOV.UK, 29 October 2026).

What the government is minded to do

For this area, the statement backs the two-council proposal put forward by East Sussex County Council and four of the county’s district councils (Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Rother). It adds the boundary change Brighton & Hove City Council asked for, “with the exception of Falmer parish”.

That is the same shape as the decision made in July and then paused in September, which we reported at the time:

  • Brighton & Hove would be the current city plus four Lewes district wards covering East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven.
  • East Sussex would be one council for the rest of the county.
  • Falmer parish, which the city had also asked for, would stay in East Sussex.

The July decision itself is now formally withdrawn, and the “minded to” position replaces it.

One detail is specific to this area. The statement says the Secretary of State “has recused herself” from reorganisation decisions for East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, so McMahon will take them himself. It gives no reason.

The new timetable

The dates have moved a year later than the July plan, which had the change taking effect in April 2028. Under today’s statement:

  • At least three weeks of representations come first. McMahon says he will “shortly confirm” the start and end dates and how to take part.
  • An update before Christmas is expected, according to the city council.
  • May 2027: the normal city council election goes ahead on today’s boundaries and 23 wards.
  • May 2028: elections to the new councils.
  • 1 April 2029: vesting day, when the new councils take over.

The government’s release says the five areas are receiving letters explaining its reasons. Those letters had not been published on GOV.UK when we checked this afternoon.

What the council says

Councillor Bella Sankey, the council leader, welcomed the announcement in a council statement (Brighton & Hove City Council, 29 October 2026).

“Bringing our communities together reflects how people live and it will give residents living to the East of our current boundary greater say over the services they already use,” she said.

She also said the council will write to the government to argue that Brighton & Hove City Council “should be considered a continuing local authority rather than setting up a brand new council with the additional complexity that would come with that”.

The statement promises to protect city status in areas being reorganised, “including bringing new legislation to this House where it is necessary to do so”. Sankey called that a “cast-iron commitment to preserving our city status”.

The money

Every area that had a decision announced earlier will now get half of the £900,000 of transition support promised for each new council. With two new councils planned here, that is £450,000 for each. McMahon says this is “guaranteed” and “not contingent on the outcome of the review”. The other half, plus £150,000 per council for leadership in children’s services, adult social care and public health, follows a final decision.

What it means for you

If you live in the city now, nothing changes yet. Your council, council tax and bin collections stay the same. The council tax bands page and bin collection days page are unaffected.

You still vote in May 2027 on the current wards. The new council would then hold its own election a year later, in May 2028.

If you live in Peacehaven, Telscombe or East Saltdean, Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council remain your councils until at least 1 April 2029. If the plan goes through, Brighton & Hove would take over from that date.

You can have your say. Anyone interested can make representations once the minister sets the dates. We will publish them, and the method, as soon as they are announced.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Peacehaven merger with Brighton definitely happening?

Not yet. The government is “minded to” approve it. There will be at least three weeks for representations, then a final decision, and Parliament must approve the legislation.

Is Falmer joining Brighton & Hove?

No. The government has again excluded Falmer parish, as it did in July, so it would stay in East Sussex.

When would the change happen?

The government’s timetable has elections to the new councils in May 2028 and vesting day on 1 April 2029.