Conservative councillor Robert Smart, who represents Meads, said: "Using the proceeds from selling off valuable assets to reduce our debt is better than doing nothing. "Eastbourne still owes around £151 million, and that represents a very substantial debt burden for every household in our town." He also highlighted flaws in past financial reporting, noting that three years ago, a council report failed to acknowledge £47 million in short-term debt. "Any future reorganisation of local government must not be used as a way to conveniently hide the past mismanagement of Eastbourne Borough Council’s finances under this Liberal Democrat administration." He cautioned that combining Eastbourne’s debt with that of other councils could make it harder for residents to understand the financial legacy of decisions made by Eastbourne Borough Council.