Official minutes from the West Sussex County Council Cabinet meeting held on 22 September 2026 have been published, providing the first detailed look at how the new coalition leadership is managing the county’s multi-billion pound budget.
The documents, released on 2 October, detail the proceedings at County Hall in Chichester, where the executive met to review the Quarter 1 Performance and Resources Report (PRR) for the 2026/27 financial year. This session marked a significant milestone for the administration led by Jay Mercer, who took over as Leader of the Council following the local elections in May 2026.
The current leadership operates under a “No Overall Control” status, consisting of a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour, and the Local Alliance. This represents a shift from the previous Conservative majority and places the new Cabinet in charge of a total annual budget exceeding £2.3 billion.
Quarterly Financial Review
The primary focus of the 10.30 am meeting was the Quarter 1 PRR, which tracks the council’s spending and service delivery targets. With the West Sussex 2026-27 budget set at record levels, the Cabinet reviewed how departments are performing against their initial forecasts for the year.
While the full minutes confirm the scrutiny of various service areas, the meeting served as an early indicator of the coalition’s approach to long-standing financial pressures, including those historically seen in adult social care and children’s services. The Cabinet is tasked with balancing these demands while implementing the policy priorities of the four-party alliance.
Decisions finalised at County Hall directly impact infrastructure and public services within the Chichester district and the wider county. Residents can view the full record of the meeting and future agendas through the West Sussex County Council portal. Public meetings continue to be held at County Hall on West Street, Chichester, and are typically available to view via the council’s online webcast service.
