Future of local government in Sussex

Devolution and local government reorganisation are shaping the future of councils in our county.

Introduction

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.

There are currently no changes to local government or the services we deliver.

Local government reorganisation

This 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

This is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government, specifically to newly created combined, strategic authorities that will be led by a mayor

Reorganising local government

The government wants to create a single tier of councils in places such as West Sussex where there are currently two tiers.

This would create unitary authorities that would 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.’

Shaping West Sussex brings together West Sussex County Council and the seven district and borough councils to work on plans for reorganisation.

The council leaders made the case that both single and two-unitary models are viable options for the future of local government in West Sussex.

During the government consultation, the county council made the case that a single unitary authority for the whole of West Sussex is the best option and offers the greatest benefits for residents.

Read the council’s supporting statement outlining the case for a single unitary authority.

In March 2026, the government announced it would be taking further time to consider the reorganisation options for West Sussex.

Then, rather than choose to implement one of the two locally developed and financially sustainable options, ministers instead decided to consult on a modified version of the two unitary option.

Read the county council's full statement in response.

We were expecting a decision from government in July 2026, at which point ministers announced that it would be deferred until a later date.

For a timetable and further information see the summary update of the local government reorganisation from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government.

Devolution

Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority has been created to meet the government's desire for combined authorities to provide strategic leadership on issues including:

housing
highways and transport
economic growth
skills
environment and climate change
health
public safety

The new authority has been set up and is being run as a partnership between West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council, and Brighton & Hove City Council ahead of elections for its first mayor in 2028.

At its first annual general meeting on 1 July 2026, the authority announced it had unlocked access to £117m for the region.

This is money that council leaders say would not have been available without the three councils joining forces.