Devolution in Sussex and Brighton
Find out what devolution is and plans for devolution in Sussex and Brighton.
What devolution is
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. This enables decisions to be made closer to the local people, communities, and businesses they affect.
It offers greater freedom and flexibility to deliver better-targeted public services, economic growth, and stronger local partnerships.
More than half of the population of England is already covered by devolution. Successful devolution deals have demonstrated that a coordinated local approach can:
- boost local jobs
- address housing needs
- improve services
- accelerate economic growth
More information about these areas and the powers they received is available in the Plain English guide to devolved powers on the gov.uk website.
Government plans for English devolution
The government has a clear ambition to extend devolution across all areas of England.
The new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (July 2025) outlines how significant powers and funding will move down from central government to a local level, where decisions can be shaped with and by the people who live and work here. It includes some of the things that impact residents the most, including transport, housing, jobs, economic growth, and public safety.
The Bill builds on the government’s English Devolution White Paper (December 2024) , which set out the different devolution options available and invited upper-tier councils to put forward proposals to create a strategic authority for populations of 1.5 million and above.
Read the English Devolution White Paper on the gov.uk website.
LGR and devolution
Although Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution are separate processes, government policy now links them closely, and in Sussex and Brighton, they are designed to move in parallel and support each other.
LGR restructures how councils are organised, while devolution transfers new powers and funding to the region. LGR creates a simpler, consistent council structure.
What’s happening in Sussex
Sussex and Brighton has reached a significant milestone in its devolution journey, with the government laying the Statutory Instrument (SI) in Parliament that will formally establish the Sussex & Brighton Combined County Authority.
The government has also confirmed that, although mayoral elections have been delayed until 2028, devolution continues at pace, led by the constituent councils.
Ministers remain committed to transferring significant powers and funding to the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority, including:
- a long-term investment fund totalling £1.14 billion, providing sustained long-term funding for locally agreed priorities
- £30.4 million released over the next two years before mayoral elections, enabling early investment in programmes that matter most to Sussex and Brighton residents and businesses
- £9.0 million in capacity funding over four years to support the establishment and operation of the new authority
Council leaders welcomed the progress with Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, commenting:
“This is a historic moment for Sussex & Brighton with devolution very much on track. Over the past year, we’ve strengthened our relationship with the government and successfully leveraged more money and new powers into our region. This important next step will help deliver real benefits for our city and the wider region.”
The role of elected mayor
A mayor of a strategic authority is a directly elected leader of a geographical region. Many areas across England already have mayors, including London, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.
The new mayor of Sussex and Brighton will be given powers and funding from the government. They will represent and champion the region, working with government, nationally and internationally.
They will also work with local councils in each part of Sussex and Brighton. While Brighton & Hove will continue to focus on leading and delivering vital services for communities, our council will also have a seat on the strategic authority.
Examples of powers decentralised to a Mayoral Strategic Authority include:
Transport
- faster and simpler process for taking buses back into public control
- statutory role for mayors to govern, manage, plan and develop the rail network
- powers to coordinate road networks in partnership with other authorities
Skills and Employment Support
- role in promoting pathways from education to employment for 16 to 19-year-olds
- ability to help co-design and deliver non-Jobcentre Plus employment support
Housing and Planning
- stronger partnership with Homes England to provide affordable, quality homes in the region
- control of grant funding for regeneration and housing delivery
- ability to set the strategic direction of future affordable housing programmes
Environment and Climate Change
- strategic role in delivering Local Power Plans and the transition to Net Zero
- coordination of local heat networks and input into Regional Energy Strategic Plans
- leadership in Local Nature Recovery Strategies
Supporting Business and Research
- collaboration with the Office for Investment to develop strategic investment
- development of a future regional innovation funding programme
- key role in boosting culture, heritage, and the visitor economy
Public Services Integration
- new duty for strategic authorities in health improvement and health inequalities
Who the new mayor will be
Elections for the new regional mayor will be held in May 2028, with residents across Sussex and Brighton eligible to vote.
The mayor will be elected for a 4-year term.
A new regional level of government
East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove councils are not merging. The new Mayoral Strategic Authority is a regional level of government which will take on roles currently held by national government departments.
Local councils will continue to exist and deliver the services they currently provide.
The government is separately making changes to the setup of local councils. Find out more on our local government reorganisation page.
Local elections in Brighton & Hove
The government agreed to postpone county council elections in East and West Sussex, which were due to be held in May 2025, to May 2026. There were no local elections planned in Brighton & Hove, so elections in the city are not affected.
Engagement and consultation
Over the course of the process, the 3 councils have engaged with key stakeholders, including MPs and the leaders of districts and borough councils. We’ve ensured that all stakeholders have been briefed on the proposals and the rationale which underpins them.
Residents, businesses, partners, local organisations and elected representatives also had a chance to have their say and help shape the future of our places and services.
The government has completed a consultation on devolution for Sussex and Brighton.
More information on the consultation and response is available on the gov.uk website.
Read Brighton & Hove City Council’s response to the Sussex and Brighton devolution consultation.
Latest updates on devolution
13 February 2026
- The government has now laid the Statutory Instrument (SI) in Parliament that will formally establish the Sussex & Brighton Combined County Authority (SBCCA). Parliamentary milestone reached as Sussex and Brighton move closer to devolution.
17 July 2025
- Sussex and Brighton officially approved to move forward with forming a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA). Devolution and mayoral election plans for Sussex and Brighton move forward.
13 April 2025
5 February 2025
9 January 2025
- Sussex councils submit expression of interest to devolution priority programme following agreement through individual Cabinet meetings.
16 December 2024
- The government White Paper set out the different devolution options available to councils and regions in England.
October 2024
- Sussex and Brighton submitted an Expression of Interest on devolution to the government. It set out a commitment to working together with all local authorities and partners to find the best solution for Sussex.
- The letter to Angela Rayner MP was co-signed by Councillor Bella Sankey and the leaders of Horsham District Council, Worthing Borough Council, Mid Sussex District Council, Adur District Council, Arun District Council, Crawley Borough Council and Chichester District Council.
July 2024
- The government invited council leaders to submit applications for devolution deals in areas where none currently exist.
Latest news about devolution
- 17 July - Devolution and mayoral election plans for Sussex and Brighton move forward
- 22 April - Consultation informs next steps for Sussex devolution
- 10 April - Have your say on devolution
- 12 March - Councillors to discuss early plans for local government reorganisation and devolution for Sussex and Brighton
- 17 February - Establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in Sussex
- 5 February - Greater powers for Sussex come a step closer with government backing for devolution
- 9 January - Sussex councils agree to submit expression of interest to devolution priority programme
- 3 January - Sussex upper tier authorities to decide landmark devolution proposal
- 1 October 24 - Expression of Interest in devolution submitted
Read more news related to devolution.