Now is the chance, given the plight of the UK economy, to consider creating new unitary authorities and to put an end to many obsolescent authorities.

Coming into administration, the coalition moved towards a cynical “localism” impoverishing many northern authorities while allowing richer boroughs, such as Westminster, to avoid sharing their riches with less wealthy councils. This has done little to help build Britain’s economy so far.

Both Sussex counties and Brighton and Hove have announced substantial cuts to services and posts at a time when we need greater co-operation between councils.

New unitary models of local government are required which recognise both natural boundaries and travel but also, importantly, the opportunities for economic development.

For example, Shoreham Port is within both the Brighton and Hove and Adur authority boundaries.

Let’s get rid of the current Sussex county divide, parish councils, districts and boroughs, too, with their councillors, regalia, flummery and expense (including the Adur district and Worthing councils and Brighton and Hove city).

We can then integrate all council services while developing new services, new forms of social integration and local representation.

Let’s have a new Greater Sussex Authority, incorporating Brighton and Hove, that stretches from, say, Hastings to Bognor and up to Gatwick.

This is not the time for mere tinkering – our coastal and rural economy calls for something more than just a “Greater Brighton” authority.

Let’s bring people together to plan for something which can develop job opportunities and prosperity here, both now and in the future.

David Johnson, Riverside, Shoreham

Several towns could work together to reduce costs and gain bidding power for grants, as is the apparent purpose of the Greater Brighton concept.

But, as Valerie Paynter says (The Argus, February 16), there is no reason why the county name cannot be given to this concept.

“Sussex Coastal” is an idea, for example.

Why should the Greens use it as a way to boost the name of Brighton alone, forgetting even Hove? Fears of disassociation from local identity were a reason to oppose city status in the first place.

There is an active Green Party in West Sussex, which has stood candidates to oppose developments such as those at Titnore Lane. Given this defence of local feeling, what will they think of the idea?

Will waking up in Worthing with the thought, “I’m in Greater Brighton,” be of much benefit? Unless it’s Worthing Pier our council has its eye on, having lost one of its own...

Peter Poole, Eastern Road, Brighton