Writing in his regular column for West Sussex newspapers, Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith has welcomed the Government's decision to delay any final decision on breaking up West Sussex as part of its programme of local government reorganisation, describing it as a "partial victory" for the thousands of residents who have backed his campaign to keep the county together.
Mr Griffith was in Parliament to hear the Secretary of State for Local Government announce a further postponement of a decision on West Sussex. He said the delay follows sustained campaigning by local residents through SaveWestSussex.org.
In a letter to the Andrew Griffith, the Secretary of State, Steve Reed MP, specifically cited the additional representations received as one of the reasons for postponing a final decision. During the same statement, ministers confirmed their agreement to move ahead with a single authority for East Sussex and a single authority for Brighton & Hove. Mr Griffith said this demonstrated there was no reason why West Sussex could not continue as a single county.
With Angela Rayner MP appointed as the new Secretary of State, appointed by Andy Burnham this week, Mr Griffith said his campaign would continue with "one last push" to persuade the Government to abandon the proposals permanently.
He said the plans to reorganise local government had been a costly and unnecessary distraction which should now be shelved entirely. Mr Griffith pointed out that the proposals were not included in the Government's election manifesto and that local residents had never been balloted on the changes. He warned there were far more pressing national priorities, from the cost of living to defence, than pursuing reforms which, he said, risk breaking up school catchment areas, creating confusion for special educational needs provision and adult social care, delaying road improvements and increasing council tax.
Separately, Mr Griffith is encouraging residents to support a petition launched by one of his constituents, Tracy, whose 19-year-old son, Aidan, was tragically killed by a drink driver travelling on the wrong side of the road. The petition calls for anyone convicted of causing death by drink driving to be permanently banned from holding a driving licence. Residents can sign the petition via Mr Griffith's website or through the UK Parliament petitions website.
