Release date: 3 January 2025
West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet will be discussing whether to submit a joint proposal with Brighton & Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council for devolution of powers across Sussex at their meeting on 9 January.
Following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, the Leaders of West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council have reached a consensus that an elected Mayor for Sussex will unlock significant powers and resources and ensure that Sussex has a strong voice representing our interests with national Government.
Subject to formal decisions by each authority, the three will submit a collective proposal to Government to be included as a priority area to be fast-tracked.
In order to allow for consultation on the new mayoral combined authority, and to clear the path for elections to it in May 2026, the Government is highly likely to require the postponement of any elections due to take place in May 2025. This directly affects the two county councils, each of whom will need to write to the Government requesting the postponement of their upcoming elections, in order to fulfil the requirements of the priority programme.
In the coming months the Government also require proposals for local government reorganisation to be considered locally to unlock the benefits of devolution, and the three authorities have confirmed that they will work with East and West Sussex’s districts and borough councils to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation across Sussex that will meet the needs of local communities while also strengthening the financial resilience of councils.
Papers for the Cabinet Paper are available on the county council's website. The Government Paper on English Devolution is available on the Government website.
