Issue date: 17 July 2025
Sussex leaders have welcomed approval of their plans to collaborate in a single strategic authority for Sussex and Brighton with a directly elected mayor.
The government has agreed to move forward with a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) and confirmed the first mayoral election will take place in May 2026.
The new MCCA will bring together all upper tier local councils across Sussex to operate across the region while, while existing councils will continue to deliver day-to-day services.
The Devolution Bill (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. Some of the things that impact residents the most include transport, housing, jobs, economic growth, and public safety.
West Sussex County Council Leader, Cllr Paul Marshall, said: “The government’s announcement is a major step forward in the shaping of local government in Sussex. By providing us with the next steps we are now closer to bringing major decision making on key areas down to a local level. This provides Sussex with a voice at national level to deliver on vital issues such as transport, infrastructure and health. I look forward to our continued discussions with our partners in East Sussex and Brighton in deciding the next steps.”
This is just one step of a journey, with the next being local government reorganisation. Conversations on what future councils might look like are happening now across the region.
The legal process for Sussex and Brighton to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) will now begin, this is known as a ‘statutory instrument’.
All councils in Sussex and Brighton will now look in detail at the powers proposed and understand the financial implications, before giving their formal consent through their decision-making processes.
The legislation is expected to be agreed in parliament in the Autumn.
For more information on local government reorganisation and devolution visit Future of local government in Sussex
