I fully support the posted comments and thank David for trying to drive forward a proactive approach with APC. I agree with don’t wait to be asked. Surely it is preferable to think about what facilities we would like to have more control over and make that known. This is such an important matter that it is my view that APC would be benefit from engaging now with residents as input would be informative to any decision making process.

Thank you to Jeff and Ian for setting up this discussion forum on the government’s plans for local government re-organisation – particularly as it has been decided that West Sussex will be part of the Devolution Priority Programme and so the election for a mayor will take place as soon as May 2026.

There’s lots to talk about – but my top five questions are here, to add to David’s. 

• The new structure has already been introduced in some areas across England, eg York & North Yorkshire and the West of England.  What evidence is there from these earlier implementations that the change has made things better, not worse, for people living in these areas?  Were any cost savings achieved, as a result of delayering the borough / town councils?

• What other learning is there from these early implementations, particularly on the impact on parish councils and any changes that can be expected? 

• On the government's website, it says that the government is minded to establish ‘a single Mayoral Combined County Authority for Sussex and Brighton’, although other proposals have been submitted for our area by the councils involved.  Given that a stated outcome of the change is that the new structure will ‘enable stronger community engagement and local empowerment’ – how will this be achieved in practice, given that decisions will be taken at county, not district level, in the future?   What can we do to ensure that smaller, rural communities like Amberley still have a voice and that priority is not given to urban communities?

• Will the SDNPA be impacted by the changes? 

• The implementation will be expensive - how will the implementation be funded?  What can we do to ensure that Council Tax is harmonised at the lowest, not the highest level, in the county? (This would be a tangible benefit of the change!)

Given that 'The Leader and Chief Executive of Horsham District Council started visiting the larger parishes in Horsham District throughout February and March this year to start the conversation about whether these facilities could be run locally by them', Amberley PC should welcome community input intended to help in their dialogue with HDC. APC should be thankful to David for providing such an excellent paper. I am totally with David and Sarah in saying that it's better to be proactive and prepare now; what's to lose? The white paper covers a great deal of ground, and central government are going to need much input before the detailed implementation of their proposals. Don't wait to be asked.