Government has announced reforms to how local government is provided across England and this will mean significant change in East Sussex.

There are two strands to this – devolution and reorganisation – which mean different things. The government would like every area of England to have a combined authority with an elected mayor.

It has approved a proposal from East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council to go ahead with a mayoral combined county authority for Sussex. The authority would have powers over strategic issues including transport, environment and climate change, housing, economic growth, health and public safety. A mayor will be elected for Sussex in May 2026.

Then there is the reorganisation of local government. Government wants all two-tier authorities (areas where there is a county council, as well as district and boroughs) to be replaced by a single unitary authority. They believe this will bring about efficiencies and make it easier for residents, only needing to deal with one council who deliver their services. Councils in East Sussex are asking residents what they think about this plan, ahead of submitting a final proposal to government in the autumn. Have your say by visiting eastsussexcouncils.org