Devolution and local government reorganisation

Devolution

The government has outlined plans for both devolution and the reorganisation of local government. This follows publication of the English Devolution White Paper.

Devolution and the reorganisation of local government are two different things.

Devolution explained

Devolution involves introducing strategic authorities across England, each with an elected mayor, so that government can hand more powers down from Whitehall. Elected mayors will oversee areas representing two or more current county council geographical areas and will be handed more power over things such as strategic housing and planning, transport, environment, business and research, and public safety. A strategic authority would represent a population size of at least 1.5 million residents.

In December, the government invited county and unitary (upper tier) authorities to submit bids for devolution by 10 January 2025 to secure a place on their priority programme (like a fast track scheme). West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove Council requested to create a strategic authority based on their combined footprint, which covers around 1.7 million residents.

The government approved this proposal for the devolution priority programme  and they are now consulting with residents and businesses on this until 13 April here: Sussex and Brighton devolution - GOV.UK, with the aim of agreeing the new strategic authority by September 2025. Mayoral elections will take place in May 2026.

Local government reorganisation

Local government reorganisation is separate to devolution, but links with the government's overall aims. The government wants all areas to have unitary councils across the country, with each serving a minimum of 500,000 residents. Each area has until the autumn to submit detailed proposals.

Sussex has been accepted onto the devolution priority programme and so the proposed timeline is for the unitary authorities to be ready to go live in 2028.

As part of our work to develop an interim plan, all those involved will consider several factors such as population sizes (now and in the future), how people work, live and commute, economic and commercial opportunities in the area and the local job and skills markets.

The future of local government is very much about getting the balance right for communities, ensuring new councils cover diverse areas, provide opportunities, understand their challenges and can help us move forward into a more positive future.

Your views are important

Now is your chance to have a say on proposals for a Mayoral Combined Authority in Sussex and Brighton.

The government consultation opened on Monday 17 February and will close at the end of the day on Sunday 13 April.

It seeks views from everyone who lives and works in our county, and asks about:

  • the proposed geography
  • governance arrangements
  • supporting the economy
  • improving social outcomes
  • local government services
  • improving the natural environment
  • supporting the needs of local communities and reflect local identity

Take part in the consultation on proposals for a Mayoral Combined Authority in Sussex and Brighton.

Next steps

Regardless of what happens, we are focussing on 'business as usual' and want you to know that delivering our services to you will be our priority, and we will make the transition as smooth as possible. For us, this is not just about lines on a map and numbers of residents within those lines. Supporting and shaping our communities and the people within them remains important.

We will keep you updated as we receive more information and know more about what will happen. We realise you will have questions and hope that the following topics helps. We will keep these updated as we go through the process ahead of us. This is a rapidly changing situation and the information here is based on what we know right now and is subject to change.

As we move through the process, Arun District Council will cease to exist. What the new council will look like, we don't yet know and will share updates when we have more information. What we do know, is that despite how the council will look in the future and the changes we must go to in the process, we commit to serving our residents and communities.

The devolution and local government reorganisation will not change the structure of Parish and town councils, and they will remain the same as they are. They will have a bigger role to play in local community engagement and may take on more responsibilities.