The UNISON West Sussex branch has significant concerns about Local Government Reorganisation, or LGR, which we have reported on before. Real concerns exist about what a damaging distraction this change will be, at a time of chronic and unresolved local government funding cuts.
However, the West Sussex branch favours a one unitary solution for West Sussex, if we are to have such change forced upon us.
Central government was due to give a decision on its preferred model for Sussex local government this week.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, despite all the work undertaken by local councils, central Government has delayed the decision on its preferred model for local government in Sussex until after the May elections.
It has also indicated a presumed preference for a 2-unitary model for West Sussex, which is not the preferred outcome of either UNISON West Sussex branch or West Sussex County Council.
You can read the Council’s statement here.
You can read the Secretary of State’s letter to council leaders here.
Given how badly Labour is widely anticipated to do in the local elections, it remains to be seen if the government will be in a fit state to take a decision after May. We could find the Labour Party plunged into dealing with a leadership challenge to Keir Starmer, and then LGR will be in the in-tray of a new PM.
So watch this space. But members can be reassured that UNISON is ready to support its members through the necessary organisational change processes whenever they come, even though these are not now imminent.
The branch is discussing with the UNISON Regional office our plan for negotiating and dealing with that change, and is holding a training day for West Sussex reps in Chichester next week.
The extent of the change and disruption we will see remains linked to the model the Government finally chooses.
if you have questions, please contact us at office.unison@westsussex.gov.uk.