Future of local government in Sussex
Introduction
Video published 19 February 2025
West Sussex County Council and our partners are at the forefront of plans for historic changes to local government across England.
Work is underway on two separate processes that will shape the future of local authorities and the delivery of services across the county.
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government, specifically to newly created strategic authorities that will be led by a mayor
Local government reorganisation is the process of restructuring local authorities, specifically to move to a single level of councils in areas of England where there are currently two levels, such as West Sussex.
Devolution
The government wants combined authorities to provide strategic leadership on issues including:
- housing
- highways and transport
- economic growth
- skills
- environment and climate change
- health
- public safety
This will be for areas of more than 1.5 million people, such as Sussex.
The cabinets of West Sussex County Council and neighbouring East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council agreed a joint bid to be part of the priority programme.
The bid to be on the government’s priority programme was approved in February 2025, which will help to unlock the benefits of devolution for Sussex sooner rather than later.
Have your say
Now is your chance to have a say on proposals for a Mayoral Combined Authority in Sussex and Brighton.
The government consultation opened on Monday 17 February and will close at the end of the day on Sunday 13 April.
It seeks views from everyone who lives and works in our county, and asks about:
- The proposed geography
- Governance arrangements
- Supporting the economy
- Improving social outcomes
- Local government services
- Improving the natural environment
- Supporting the needs of local communities and reflect local identity
Take part in the consultation on proposals for a Mayoral Combined Authority in Sussex and Brighton.
Reorganising local government
At the same time as devolving powers, the government wants to create a single tier of councils in places such as West Sussex where there are currently two tiers.
While a combined mayoral authority with devolved powers would deliver on big, strategic issues, unitary authorities will continue to operate most day-to-day services currently delivered by the county and district and borough councils.
The government’s aim is that areas with a population of around 500,000 people are served by one local council, hence the term ‘unitary authority.’
The leaders of West Sussex County Council and the seven district and borough councils wrote to ministers in March with our initial proposals.
There are several options on the table for government to consider, which are listed in the submission. Read more with a link to the submission.
Everyone will get the chance to comment on the options over the coming months before a more detailed proposal is submitted in September.
What happens next?
There are currently no changes to local government or the services we deliver.
The government agreed to postpone nine local elections due to be held in May 2025, including here in West Sussex.
We asked for this as part of our bid because we do not believe we would have been able to meet the timetable required of us to deliver mayoral elections in 2026.
In addition, the devolution consultation would have taken place in the run-up to the elections, and councils are not allowed to take part publicly in sensitive matters during the pre-election period.
In outlining its rationale for the decision, the government says it set the bar ‘very high.’
Previous updates
21 March 2025: News release West Sussex councils submit interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation
11 March 2025: News release West Sussex County Council and partners preparing next steps in devolution and local government reorganisation
5 February 2025: News release Greater powers for Sussex come a step closer with government backing for devolution
16 January 2025: Message from West Sussex County Council Leader Cllr Paul Marshall An opportunity for West Sussex to flourish and prosper
9 January 2025: News release Sussex Councils agree to submit expression of interest on devolution
9 January 2025: Cabinet meeting on devolution Watch back and read the papers
3 January 2025: News release Sussex upper tier authorities to decide on submission on devolution
4 October 2024: News release West Sussex County Council submits expression of interest on devolution
Read more
Consultation on a Mayoral Combined Authority for Sussex and Brighton from gov.uk
Devolution and local elections explainer from Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Devolution and local government reorganisation from Local Government Association
Devolution in Sussex from East Sussex County Council
Devolution in Sussex from Brighton & Hove City Council
English Devolution White Paper from gov.uk