The Cabinets of East and West Sussex county councils and Brighton & Hove unitary authority have today agreed to submit an expression of interest to be considered for the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme indicating support for a Sussex Mayoral Strategic Authority which could unlock new money and powers for the region.
Yesterday, a specially-convened meeting of East Sussex County Council gathered to discuss the Government's proposals for the reorganisation of local authority structure.
Despite confusion and misunderstanding by several opposition councillors, Conservative Gerard Fox told the meeting that there were few options open given the Labour government's White Paper and election manifesto pledge for English devolution.
The government has chosen not to issue a Green Paper which would be a call for discussion and consultation. It has also set the time-frame for this wholesale change, out of ESCC's control, and made it clear that certain strategic funds will only be provided through a new structure, holding existing councils to ransom. So, to do nothing and delay would be to significantly limit access to funds to support residents and the local economy.
Cllr Fox spoke of a new, Greater Sussex combined mayoral authority as one likely to replace the present three-tier system of local government. He stressed the advantage of doing this now is that we unlock central government resources for our residents more rapidly, frame are own future on better terms than if we are forced to go later by the government on their terms.
"We do it with two authorities with whom we have a history of successful collaboration; we preserve a Greater Sussex with all its common economic, social, cultural, and population characteristics," said Cllr Fox.
If the Secretary of State accepts the proposals, then the aim would be to create a light-touch Strategic Mayoral Authority across Greater Sussex (and to elect that Mayor in May 2026), with access to additional resources, greater autonomy on how it spends money, and representation on the Council of the Regions. Simultaneously, the county council, district and boroughs would disappear and be absorbed into a single-tier East Sussex unitary authority to be elected in May 2027.
A Mayoral Strategic Authority could give the people of Sussex a stronger voice in how national decisions affect them and greater power to shape major projects across the area.
Leader of East Sussex County Council, Cllr Keith Glazier, said:
“This is historic for Sussex; bringing together the three authorities and our partners to discuss the future of local government in the area and the benefits to our residents, businesses, and communities it could bring.
We have all looked closely at the Government’s White Paper, together discussed its benefits and what it offers and believe that we have come to the right decision to put forward an expression of interest for a Strategic Mayoral Authority for Sussex.”
Opponents for a Combined Mayoral Authority (CMA) came in for criticism from Cllr Fox who said: "it is perplexing to see Labour members opposite, who campaigned for a Labour government, opposing the Greater Sussex CMA proposal which is a direct consequence of a major policy initiative from their own Government. It is also a proposal which is being encouraged by their own Labour Secretary of State and one supported by Labour-run Brighton & Hove City Council."
Green Party councillors were also admonished for their lofty approach to the proposals. Cllr Fox reminded them that their Leader at Wealden District Council, Cllr Millward, was proclaiming before the General Election that “the election of a Green MPs with a Labour Government would be a win-win for local people”.
"Perhaps the Green Party leader should have read the Labour Party manifesto?, Cllr Fox asked rhetorically.
The benefits of East Sussex moving now, jointly with Brighton & Hove and West Sussex is knowing that there's a history of successful collaborative working.
In this way, "we retain some agency in our future and ensure that an optimal Greater Sussex Authority with all its economic, social, demographic, and geographic commonalities is achieved", added Cllr Fox.
Having determined which councils will proceed at the end of January, it is anticipated that the Government will then conduct a formal consultation with all affected tiers of government.
