“Hands off our communities”, warns MacCleary
Lewes constituency MP James MacCleary has condemned Brighton & Hove City Council’s plan to expand eastwards into Newhaven, Kingston and nearby villages as its response to the Local Government Re-organisation process. He says the proposal would drag rural and coastal communities into a city they have no natural link to, undermining local identity and risking poorer representation.
James MacCleary has written to every household affected, informing them of the proposed changes.
MacCleary is urging all residents of Newhaven, Kingston, Piddinghoe, Rodmell, Iford, Southease, Northease, Swanborough and Falmer to take part in both public consultations – one run by Brighton & Hove City Council and one by Lewes District Council – before the 25th of August deadline.
James said: “Brighton’s Labour-run council proposals make no sense; Newhaven is a distinct community ten miles from Brighton. Kingston and surrounding villages are rural, and much of the area lies in the South Downs National Park. These are not Brighton communities, and residents do not want to be ruled from Hove Town Hall.
“It is unclear what, if any, benefits this brings to our communities - the benefits to Labour’s debt-ridden administration in Brighton are a lot clearer.
“Lots of residents have contacted me to express their reasonable concerns and confusion. The Government wants Sussex to move forward quickly and the East Sussex proposal enables that by sticking to current boundaries and keeping communities together. Brighton’s unwelcome plan has turned the whole thing into a real dog’s breakfast and risks delaying the whole process.
“It’s telling that their consultation doesn’t even consider expanding west into Shoreham and Southwick, where the urban area naturally continues – instead they’ve gone straight for carving up East Sussex. Surely all options should be considered.
“This is about who makes decisions for your community – and whether those decisions are made by people who understand it. If we don’t speak up now, we risk being absorbed into Brighton against our will. If Labour thinks it can quietly stitch this up behind closed doors, they’ve picked the wrong fight.”
Cllr Sarah Osborne, County Councillor for Ouse Valley West and Downs added: "I recently spoke at a packed meeting of concerned residents in Kingston who were unanimous in their strong opposition to Brighton and Hove's land grab. Residents are worried about changes to services such as Adult Social Care and the impact on children at or wanting to attend schools in East Sussex. I would encourage all residents to make their views known by completing both consultations on the proposals”
Cllr Carolyn Lambert, County Councillor for Seaford South added: "It's clear that this cynical landgrab is deeply unpopular with local residents. The proposal will break the natural geographical, economic and social ties that Seaford has with Newhaven and with other communities along the coast strip. The proposal would only create confusion instead of unifying communities and I join my colleagues in urging residents to resist this Brighton and Hove takeover".
You can respond to the consultation on the proposals at the links below, and we have included some pointers as to what you can say at this link:
Brighton & Hove: https://yourvoice.brighton-hove.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/exploring-the-options-for-local-government-reorganisation
Lewes District: https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/LGR