Local Government Reorganisation: An Opportunity to Rethink Environmental Services Not Just Council Boundaries in Brighton & Hove, East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven

Local Government Reorganisation: An Opportunity to Rethink Environmental Services Not Just Council Boundaries in Brighton & Hove, East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven

By Alan Paget, CEO, Integrated Skills Ltd

The decision to expand the Brighton & Hove boundary to include East Saltdean, Telscombe and Peacehaven is far more than a change on a map. It represents another significant milestone in the wider programme of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) that is reshaping how local services are planned and delivered across England.

As a resident of Brighton & Hove (‘Hove, actually’) for over 25 years, I listened intently to the arguments for and against the expansion. Those arguments in favour of the change were compelling. As Council Leader Bella Sankey summarised in one of her video clips, the council’s case for expansion centred on existing community connectivity and shared identity rather than administrative convenience. She said the decision reflects the:

“natural and practical connections between the special and unique communities in East Saltdean, Telscombe, Peacehaven and Brighton & Hove.”

This appears to be the primary argument for the expansion: that these communities already function as part of a connected urban and economic area. A belief I can attest to as:

• We travel along the same roads
• Our teenagers attend the same colleges
• Local businesses employ from these areas
• We go to the same beauty spots

Much of the public discussion focused on governance, accountability and local identity. However, from an operational perspective – which is what interests me – some of the most complex challenges and greatest opportunities lie within environmental services, waste collection, street cleansing, grounds maintenance and related frontline operations – all of which were pretty much absent from the discussions.

As the new authority prepares for implementation in April 2028 Council leaders will be faced with a series of difficult but important questions.

• Should existing waste collection models be retained or harmonised?
• How can service standards be aligned across different communities?
• Can fleet resources be used more effectively?
• Are existing depot locations still optimal for the enlarged area?
• What opportunities exist to reduce costs, carbon emissions and vehicle mileage without impacting residents?

These are not merely operational or service quality questions. They directly influence financial sustainability (due to the high cost of running these services) and, moreover, public perception of the new authority: bin collection, street sweeping, fly-tip removal, etc are high profile frontline services that help local residents and businesses form a perception of local council effectiveness.

Having worked with local authorities across the UK for more than three decades I have seen that successful service transformation starts with evidence not assumptions.

At Integrated Skills, we have supported over 100 local authority clients with depot relocation & rationalisation, service harmonisation, waste composition analysis and route optimisation projects. Our experience consistently demonstrates that significant operational improvements are typically achieved when authorities use data-driven modelling to understand how an enlarged service area can be served most efficiently and effectively.

Equally important is the strategic perspective. Our partner Frith Resource Management have worked with more than 130 councils, helping authorities understand waste strategy, service design, environmental impacts, operational efficiencies and future policy requirements. Their experience highlights the importance of viewing reorganisation as an opportunity to reimagine services, rather than simply merge existing structures.

The Brighton & Hove expansion decision arrives at a time when councils are already preparing for, or have already experienced, substantial change. Simpler Recycling reforms, food waste collections, Extended Producer Responsibility, decarbonisation targets and ongoing financial pressures are all driving transformation across the municipal sector. The local authorities that benefit most from reorganisation are likely to be those that view these challenges as interconnected rather than separate initiatives.

For Brighton & Hove and neighbouring communities, the next two years provide a valuable opportunity to create environmental services fit for the next two decades rather than the last.

Local Government Reorganisation should not be viewed solely as a governance exercise. It should be seen as an opportunity to redesign services around residents, data, operational efficiency and long-term resilience.

Council boundaries may be changing, but the real prize lies in creating better services for the communities they serve.

Alan Paget
CEO, Integrated Skills Ltd