Sussex local authority leaders have come together to launch a new Partnership Board, marking a key milestone in the journey toward establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
The meeting focused on preparations for devolution for Sussex and Brighton & Hove, which promises to bring decision-making closer to communities and unlock new funding for locally agreed priorities.
Board members discussed the strategic opportunities that devolution can bring, including the potential for stronger regional collaboration and greater investment to address shared challenges in areas such as economic growth, transport, housing, and the environment and a unified voice for Sussex & Brighton on the national stage.
This collaborative effort follows the government’s positive response to a joint proposal from the Leaders of Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council. As a result, Sussex was invited to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme and following a public consultation was given the go ahead to move forward with the creation of a new Mayoral Combined County Authority for Sussex and Brighton.
Key steps remain before the formal establishment of the Mayoral Combined County Authority, including formal consent from three upper-tier councils in Sussex and the approval of the necessary legislation in Parliament. In anticipation, preparatory work is already underway, including appointing an interim Chief Officer to guide the early work to create the new body.
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