West Sussex councils have submitted their draft interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon, outlining their progress and seeking guidance on several critical issues to ensure a successful final submission in September 2025.

Click on the shield above to read that proposal in full. 

The interim plan, submitted by West Sussex Leaders and Chief Executives, emphasises the councils' commitment to devolution and a route map for creating unitary authorities that will deliver the best outcomes for citizens. The interim plan outlines potential options for new council structures. It also highlights the opportunity for public service reform and improved outcomes, particularly in areas such as homelessness prevention and social care.

The councils have also proposed how to address democratic representation, governance arrangements, and how new structures will support devolution ambitions. While acknowledging limited local engagement due to the tight timeline, they have committed to extensive consultation with local residents, businesses and wider stakeholders as proposals develop.

Indicative costs for preparing proposals and implementation have been provided, along with arrangements for inter-council cooperation and decision-making.

However, several key questions remain that require clarification from the government. Chief amongst these is the size and boundaries of potential new unitary authorities, particularly concerning any required expansion of Brighton & Hove. In addition, guidance is sought on how Crawley fits the unitarisation and devolution agenda given its strong economic links to Surrey. The councils are seeking clear guidelines on population size limits, funding, timelines, and the impact of the Devolution Bill.

"We are making good progress, but we need clarity on these issues to avoid costly delays and ensure we develop the most effective structures for our communities," said Michael Jones, Leader of Crawley Borough Council on behalf of the West Sussex Leaders. "We are committed to working collaboratively to create a shared evidence base and develop proposals that reflect the unique needs of our area."

"We are excited about the opportunities that LGR brings for public service reform and delivering significant improvements for local communities," Michael Jones added. "We are working diligently to ensure a smooth transition and a positive legacy for West Sussex."

The councils are seeking urgent answers to their questions from the government to maintain momentum and ensure a robust final submission in September.

Devolution Consultation is now LIVE

Please have your say on devolution in Sussex. 

Please read the notes within the link before commenting. And please do not comment solely based on what you’ve read in social media and on biased news channels - make your own mind up. Please don’t have it made up for you.

Click the link on the right to Take Part in the Sussex Devolution Consultation 

Next Step - Interim Plan Submission by 21st March 2025

Jim McMahon OBE MP Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has written letters to Councils in the first tranche of devolution.

Links to the full letters are on the right. The part outlining the next step is pasted below. 

Interim plans

An interim plan should be provided to government on or before 21 March 2025. This should set out your progress on developing proposals in line with the criteria and guidance. The level of detail that is possible at this stage may vary from place to place but the expectation is that one interim plan is jointly submitted by all councils in the area. It may be the case that the interim plan describes more than one potential proposal for your area, if there is more than one option under consideration. The interim plan should:

a) identify any barriers or challenges where further clarity or support would be helpful.

b) identify the likely options for the size and boundaries of new councils that will offer the best structures for delivery of high-quality and sustainable public services across the area, along with indicative efficiency saving opportunities.

c) include indicative costs and arrangements in relation to any options including planning for future service transformation opportunities.

d) include early views as to the councillor numbers that will ensure both effective democratic representation for all parts of the area, and also effective governance and decision-making arrangements which will balance the unique needs of your cities, towns, rural and coastal areas, in line with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England guidance.

e) include early views on how new structures will support devolution ambitions.

f) include a summary of local engagement that has been undertaken and any views expressed, along with your further plans for wide local engagement to help shape your developing proposals.

g) set out indicative costs of preparing proposals and standing up an implementation team as well as any arrangements proposed to coordinate potential capacity funding across the area.

h) set out any voluntary arrangements that have been agreed to keep all councils involved in discussions as this work moves forward and to help balance the decisions needed now to maintain service delivery and ensure value for money for council taxpayers, with those key decisions that will affect the future success of any new councils in the area.

Update 5th February 2025

It has now been confirmed that West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council will form part of the first tranche of newly devolved authorities. 

Please note, some of the below is an estimate or best prediction at this time. For example, we do not know the results of the public consultation - which will help shape the unitary authorities. This blog will be updated with any news, as it happens. 

Here's a top-line summary based on the announcement on 5th February 2025;

Starting Just About Immediately - Consultation on new Unitary Authorities.

Autumn 2025 - the Government is expected to announce that the 2026 elections will only be for the Mayor of the new Mayoral Authority.

?????? - At some time the results of the consultation will be announced. Along with the agreed boundaries of the new Unitary Authorities.

May 2026 - Election of Mayor

May 2027 - Elections for Councillors to the new Unitary Authorities.

May 2027-2028 The District/Boroughs/County Councils will run concurrently until May 2028 when those authorities will be dissolved.

N.B. The 5th February 2025 press release states:

"Following an expression of interest from the leaders of West Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council, and East Sussex County Council, ministers have approved proposals to create a mayoral strategic authority for Sussex, made up of an elected mayor and two members of each constituent authority, with strategic powers for transport, public safety, health, environment and climate change, housing, economic growth, skills and jobs."

For the first year of the Mayoral Authority is it expected that the "two members of each constituent authority" will be selected from the existing upper tier local authorities, West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council. It is expected that these will be replaced by representatives of the new Unitary Authorities when elected in May 2027.

Here is the press release from West Sussex County Council in full;

An opportunity to gain new powers and investment for Sussex has moved a step nearer with the government’s agreement to make the area a priority for devolution.

Following an expression of interest from the leaders of West Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council, and East Sussex County Council, ministers have approved proposals to create a mayoral strategic authority for Sussex, made up of an elected mayor and two members of each constituent authority, with strategic powers for transport, public safety, health, environment and climate change, housing, economic growth, skills and jobs.

As well as unlocking new powers and investment for the region, it would give the people of Sussex a stronger voice in how national decisions affect them and enable more decisions to be taken locally.

The government will now begin a consultation to seek the views of people and organisations in Sussex.

All three of Sussex’s upper-tier local authorities – Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council – agree that devolution could unlock new funding and give people a stronger voice over national decisions which affect them and greater power to steer major projects across the area.

It follows the Government’s White Paper on English Devolution published in December which outlined its aim to bring more decision-making down from Westminster to local communities.

Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the whole of Sussex and West Sussex in particular. A mayoral authority will give our communities greater influence in the big decisions that affect the region, such as our highways, housing, and economic growth, plus much-needed long-term financial stability.

"I’m pleased the government has accepted us on to its priority programme, meaning we can unlock these benefits sooner rather than later. There is much to do, but please be assured we will continue our focus on delivering essential services and putting the needs of our residents first.”

Cllr Keith Glazier, Leader of East Sussex County Council said: “I believe this is excellent news for the people of Sussex because it’s an opportunity for more decisions to be made locally and for greater investment here. I’m pleased the government has recognised our potential to prosper and develop together.”

Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “This is an historic and exciting moment for our region. I am optimistic and ambitious about devolution because of the direct benefits I know it will bring to all communities in Sussex.

"It will mean that more money is directly invested in our area and that better transport, affordable housing and skills and job creation can be accelerated. I’m looking forward to meeting with residents, businesses and partners to ensure that all of our communities have the opportunity to shape the future.”

Local councils in every part of Sussex would work closely with the mayoral strategic authority and would continue to deliver day-to-day services.

Alongside devolution, the government is asking for proposals for unitary councils in all parts of Sussex, moving away from the two-tier model of county and borough or district councils where those exist.  Discussion with partners will continue on how this might be arranged.

There are no immediate changes to the operation of local authorities in Sussex or the services they provide.