BRIGHTON & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council are reaffirming their commitment to devolution for Sussex.

The cabinet meetings taking place at each local authority over the next few weeks follow confirmation from Government that the Sussex & Brighton Combined County Authority will be created as planned this May and releases £1.14bn of additional investment into Sussex over the coming years.

This follows confirmation from Government that while mayoral elections may have been delayed, devolution proceeds apace and Ministers remain committed to unleashing significant powers and funding for the region, including:

• Strategic powers to drive economic growth, improve transport and boost skills.
• A 30 year investment fund, totalling £1.14bn from 2028 and £30.4m released over the next two years. This funding to be spent on locally agreed priorities.
• £4.5 million in capacity funding over 4 years to support the establishment the new authority.

The Government’s decision to delay the mayoral elections is intended to allow local government reorganisation to be completed before a mayor takes office. In the meantime, the Combined County Authority will operate with the majority of the powers of a Mayoral Strategic Authority, except those reserved exclusively to a mayor.

Work to establish the new authority is already underway and partners across Sussex have been involved in discussions that will help shape the opportunities that devolution will bring to the region and the priorities for a new Sussex & Brighton Combined County Authority. This work will also continues at pace ahead of the anticipated legal creation of the new authority in the Spring.

Cllr Keith Glazier, Leader of East Sussex County Council, added: “We’re already working together to shape how all our residents could get the maximum possible benefits from devolution. That work will only intensify as the new authority is created and we develop our joint strategy for areas including economic growth and transport.”

Council leaders welcomed the progress and Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “It is right that we continue the work needed to establish the combined authority as I believe it is vital for bringing additional investment into the region whilst providing us with a voice at national level. Sussex delivers huge economic benefit to the Uk and the creation of the Combined Authority will only strengthen this.”

Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, commented: “Devolution for Sussex and Brighton is very much on track. It’s about unlocking powers and funding to deliver real benefits for our city and the wider region. The creation of the SBCCA will enable us to take a more joined-up approach to transport, housing skills and climate action. We remain fully committed to this process and working with partners across our amazing area to deliver tangible improvements for our residents and businesses.

The three councils will continue to work closely to finalise arrangements and prepare for the expected launch of the SBCCA in the spring of 2026.

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