Sussex devolution: next step taken towards establishing mayoral authority

As the county’s devolution journey heads for the finishing line, the government has carried out the process of laying a Statutory Instrument in Parliament.

This means that, once approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the new authority will be established and the basic governance arrangements provided.

Devolution is the drawing down of powers and funding from central Government and handing them to local authorities.

The idea is to allow decisions about things such as housing, transport, infrastructure, the economy and the environment to be made at a local level, rather than in Westminster.

Paul Marshall, leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “This is an important next step in bringing further powers to the region which will provide strategic planning and funding for key areas such as transport and infrastructure, as well as a voice at national level.

“This milestone has been achieved through close partnership working and we continue these relationships to ensure the new combined county authority will delivery for our residents and the region.”

Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “This is an historic moment for Sussex & Brighton with devolution very much on track. Over the past year we’ve strengthened our relationship with 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.”

Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County Council, added: “We’re now nearing the start of the new authority which we’re all determined will further power up Sussex for the benefit of everyone who lives and works here.

“This will mean more investment and opportunity and give us an even stronger voice together.”

This final legislative step on the road to devolution will enable the new authority to be created this spring, though the election of the first Mayor will not be held until 2028.

In the meantime, the three councils will continue as usual while their leaders work to see the new authority take shape.

Among the powers and funding to be transferred to the new authority are: a long-term investment fund totalling £1.14billion for locally agreed priorities; a £30.4million pot to be released over the next two years, to allow early investment in programmes that matter most to Sussex residents and businesses and capacity funding of £9m over four years to support the establishment and operation of the new authority.

Running alongside Devolution is Local Government Reorganisation. The government wants to create a single tier of councils, known as unitary authorities, in places where there are currently two tiers – county councils and district/borough councils.

These unitary authorities will have the job of running most of the day-to-day services currently delivered by the county, district and borough councils.

The Government is expected to announce by the end of March how the unitary authorities will look.