Devolution FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

What is devolution?

Devolution empowers local communities by transferring decision-making from central government to local leaders, allowing for tailored solutions that address specific regional needs, such as on transport, housing, education and economic development. Further information is outlined in the government's Devolution White Paper:

What is local government reorganisation?

Local government reorganisation (LGR) means changing how councils are structured to make them work better. This often involves replacing two-tier systems (county and district councils) with single-tier unitary authorities.

For residents this means that instead of dealing with multiple councils for different issues, a single-tier authority creates clearer accountability, faster decision-making, and better coordination of services.

The key difference is that reorganisation changes the structure of councils, while devolution gives them more power and funding to make decisions locally.

What have the upper tier authorities in Sussex proposed?

The Cabinets of the Sussex upper tier authorities - East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council have proposed a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering all of Sussex. This has now been agreed by the government, and will cover West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, with a population of 1.7 million. This aligns with the Sussex Police and Integrated Care System (ICS) areas.

What is the difference between a unitary authority and a strategic combined authority?

A unitary authority would bring the services that lower (district/borough) and upper tier (county) councils currently provide to better tackle issues in a holistic way, for example bringing supported housing, social care and homelessness together.

The strategic combined authority will have strategic regional powers - such as around transport, skills and employment, strategic planning, regeneration and devolution of funding. Examples such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Greater London show the different roles between a regional combined authority and unitaries within it.

The government has published a Devolution Framework summary table to outline which level of local authority would do what. Sussex will be a Mayoral authority. See:

What has been announced about devolution in Sussex?

Sussex and Brighton have been accepted onto the government's priority programme for devolution, meaning discussions will take place on transferring new powers and resources from central government to the region. This is a significant step towards securing greater local decision-making powers. You can read the full government announcement and see the list of priority areas below:

Will this mean a new Mayor for Sussex?

As Sussex and Brighton have been included in the government's priority programme for devolution, discussions will take place around potential governance models. This may include a directly elected mayor. However, these discussions are at an early stage, and more details will emerge as the process develops.

What are the timescales?

  • 10th January 2025: East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove Councils submitted an expression of interest to join the priority devolution programme to the government.
  • 5th February 2025: Government announced the areas that will join the priority devolution programme, including Sussex & Brighton:
  • End of March 2025: West Sussex Authorities have submitted an interim plan to the government with the progress being made towards the submission of reorganisation business cases in the autumn, aligned with the government's Devolution White Paper.
  • Spring 2025: Devolution consultation on the plans, following which a ministerial decision will be taken whether to proceed with a Combined Authority.
  • Spring to Summer 2025: West Sussex authorities working collaboratively to develop and assess unitary options. Adur & Worthing Councils engage with staff, members, communities, and partners to ensure local perspectives inform the detailed plan and provide a long term vision for the future of our local area. West Sussex councils launch Sussex-wide engagement survey. 
  • End of September 2025: Councils must develop and submit a detailed plan for how the new structures will help ensure the area is economically viable, provide better public services for residents and show how community views have shaped the plan.
  • End of 2025 to early 2026: Ministers will consider proposals for the unitary authorities and the phasing of implementation of these with statutory consultations being undertaken on the first tranche of proposals.
  • 2026: Mayoral elections for Sussex as a region and decision to move to Mayoral Strategic Authority.
  • 2027: Elections for a new unitary shadow authority.
  • 2028: Reorganisation completed and unitary councils go live.

What does this mean for Adur & Worthing Councils?

As part of Sussex and Brighton's inclusion in the priority programme, Adur & Worthing Councils have been undertaking engagement with staff, elected members, communities, and partners to explore what devolution and LGR could mean for our area. This will ensure local voices are heard and shape the approach as discussions progress.

Why have Adur & Worthing Councils undertaken their own engagement exercise?

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has stated ‘it is for councils to decide how best to engage locally and provide evidence of that activity in proposals'. MHCLG also said that proposals should state how they “meet local needs and are informed by local views.”. In Adur and Worthing we have engaged with the community through our Thriving Together - Devolution programme. The results of this engagement exercise will not only influence the proposals we put forward on LGR later this year, but will help shape the future of our places and create a long-term vision for how council services can be run. The councils are also taking part in a joint survey with the other county, district and borough councils in West Sussex, called Shaping West Sussex. This will ensure that Adur and Worthing residents will get even more opportunities to have their say on the proposals for LGR in West Sussex. Once the business case has been submitted in September 2025, the government will begin a formal consultation process.

What are the next steps?

For now, we encourage you to read more about devolution and LGR here:

And keep an eye out for engagement opportunities here:

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Page last updated: 22 July 2025

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