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UPDATE 1/10/26 – THESE WORKS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES. THE ROAD WILL BE OPEN AS NORMAL.
The A272 will be closed from the junction with Easebourne Street to Heath End Lane from 8pm on Friday 2nd October until 6am on Saturday 3rd October to allow for carriageway stud replacement.
The Parish Council has received the following update on Local Government Reorganisation from Chichester District Council –
The Government has announced that plans to create unitary authorities in West Sussex will be paused while it undertakes a review of its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme.
As part of this review, decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn following new legal advice. Plans for a further 14 areas, including West Sussex, will also be reviewed and paused while this is carried out.
The Government has also confirmed that local elections scheduled for May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries, which means the Chichester District Council elections will go ahead in May.
No timeline has been given to local authorities as to when the review is to be carried out or when it will be concluded.
“We are deeply frustrated by this latest development,” says Councillor Adrian Moss, Leader of Chichester District Council.
“Together with our partners across West Sussex, we will be seeking urgent discussions with ministers to understand the rationale behind this decision, how it has been reached, and the timetable for what happens next.
“Our immediate priority is to provide clarity and reassurance to our staff and councillors, who continue to face significant uncertainty during what has been a prolonged and unsettling period.
“We are equally committed to keeping our residents, communities and businesses fully informed as further details emerge.
“The continued lack of certainty is unacceptable. We urge the Government to provide a clear, definitive timetable for local government reorganisation and to set out its intentions for the future of local government in West Sussex without further delay.
“In the meantime, it is business as usual. We remain focused on delivering essential services and local priorities with dedication and professionalism to support our communities.”
To find out more about local government reorganisation in West Sussex please visit: www.chichester.gov.uk/devolution or www.shapingwestsussex.org
County, district, and borough councils across West Sussex are inviting residents to take part in a new climate change consultation.
The consultation will gather views on draft plans that aim to make West Sussex a greener, more resilient county where people and nature thrive together. The councils have worked together through a group called the West Sussex Joint Climate Change Board with support from climate specialists City Science. Together they have prepared draft action plans which focus on:
People who live or work in West Sussex are encouraged to take part in the consultation by visiting this link: Climate change consultation | Your Voice West Sussex
The consultation is open until Sunday 27 September 2026.
The South Downs National Park Authority has issued an update on the fire damaged buildings on North Street, Midhurst. Please visit this link for more information – Update on Midhurst fire-damaged buildings – August 2026 – South Downs National Park Authority
We are very excited to finally be able to confirm that planning permission for the proposed Easebourne Community Hub has been granted!
It’s been a lengthy process to get the final approval, but work on the project has been continuing in parallel. We’ve continued to look at fundraising opportunities, the refurbishment specifications, the establishment of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, operational planning and everything in-between!
There is a huge amount of work now to do, but this is a significant milestone in turning the concept of a Community Hub for our village into reality.
Watch this space for more regular updates and please make sure you follow us on Facebook.
Please note that access to the park car park will be closed on Monday 17th August from 7.30am to allow the installation of speed ramps around the zebra crossing.
The park will still be accessible on foot from the other entrances.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
As you may have already seen, the final decision on the future structure of Local Government in West Sussex has been delayed. The Parish Council has received the below from Chichester District Council, to help residents understand what this means and what the next steps are –
We want to make you aware that the Government has announced a further delay to its decision on local government reorganisation in West Sussex.
A decision had been expected this month, but councils in West Sussex have now been advised that no preferred option has yet been selected. The details of all of the options under consideration and the process to date can be found at: www.chichester.gov.uk/devolution and www.shapingwestsussex.org
We are disappointed that the Government has still not yet made a decision on the future of local government in West Sussex and had hoped for greater clarity by now. Our priority is to secure the best possible outcome for our communities.
We have been working closely with the councils across West Sussex to prepare for local government reorganisation, and that work is continuing at pace. Whatever decision is ultimately made, we want to ensure we are in the strongest possible position to move forward and represent the interests of our residents, businesses, communities and staff.
The Government has confirmed that it remains committed to the current timetable and expects to make a final decision by October. In the meantime, it is very much business as usual. We will continue to keep our communities informed as soon as further information becomes available.
Elections for the new authorities are still expected to take place in 2027. The elected councillors will form what is known as a shadow authority for one year, ahead of the formal launch of the new authority in 2028. During this period, the shadow authority will operate alongside existing councils to prepare for the transition.
The Government’s statement can be found at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-07-16/hcws286. Further information about local government reorganisation can be found at www.chichester.gov.uk/devolution and www.shapingwestsussex.org
The Parish Council has been advised that the A272 will be closed from Easebourne Street and Heath End Lane between 8pm and 6am on the 6th until the 11th of August, for carriageway stud replacements. Any queries regarding this closure should be directed to West Sussex County Council Highways department – Roads and travel – West Sussex County Council
