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.