Decision details

Following consideration of the report the Cabinet approved that the Leader writes, jointly with the leaders of East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council, to the Minister of State for Local Government and Devolution:

1.     Confirming the County Council’s commitment to devolution and local government reorganisation as part of the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme, based on a proposal for the devolution of powers to a new combined authority for Sussex covering the areas of the three upper tier authorities (West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove).

2.   Confirming the County Council’s commitment to developing proposals for unitary councils across the area including West Sussex to be included in the proposed combined authority for Sussex.

3.     Inviting the Government to postpone the County Council elections due in May 2025, for a year, to enable the proposals for local government reorganisation to be developed and to enable the early implementation of the proposed devolution arrangements.

Due to the need for this matter to be determined as soon as possible the Cabinet has secured agreement from the County Council Chairman for this key decision to be taken without prior notice in the Forward Plan of key decisions (Part 4, Section 1, Standing Order 3.57) (Regulation 11) because delay would prejudice the County Council’s interests.