Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the oral Answer of 24 November 2025 on East Sussex County Council: Elections, what is the Secretary of State's definition for the length of time which represents a very short term in office.

We are clear that the starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification otherwise.

There is precedent for postponing local elections where local government reorganisation is in progress. That postponement can prevent costly and distracting elections for short-term posts in councils which will shortly be abolished is a key consideration.

The Government will work with areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement in the process of local government reorganisation.