Sussex And The City: from conversation to accountability — shaping devolution in practice

The context:

Sussex is now entering the decisive phase of its devolution journey. After being accepted into the government’s Devolution Priority Programme in February, the full green light has now been given to create a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Sussex and Brighton – with elections in May 2026.

Several Sussex And The City roundtables, hosted since June, have dug into specific issues while reflecting broader themes emerging across governance and public engagement:

• Business growth and support: Participants discussed how devolution could unify a fragmented support landscape, prioritise scaling up Sussex-based microbusinesses, and retain graduate talent. Comparisons were drawn with Greater Manchester and West Midlands systems.

• Digital inclusion and skills strategy: Another session highlighted gaps in current provision, debating how a mayoral authority might knit funding together across local skills boards, FE, HE and private sector actors.

• Local identity, community voice, and environmental stewardship: Debates emphasised the need for transparent accountability mechanisms beyond elections – like citizen panels and community hustings – to sustain public trust in the new combined authority.

The weekly Sussex And The City podcast has featured key voices shaping the narrative:

Recent episodes of the Sussex And The City podcast have sharpened the focus on leadership, skills, trust, and the practicalities of devolution. Flo Powell, co-owner of Midnight Communications, unpacked the communication challenges facing any new mayor — from mistrust to misinformation — and why plain English matters. Sally-Ann Hart, former Hastings MP argued for targeted investment in overlooked coastal and rural areas, and for stronger private sector partnerships. Dan Wallman, founder of TechNative Digital, explored how employers can close the tech skills gap by investing in junior talent and supporting government-funded bootcamps. And Stewart Drew, director of the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, challenged the notion that culture is a luxury – arguing instead for its central role in skills, tourism and economic resilience. Together, these conversations reveal a Sussex ready to do things differently.

Key developments since July

• Local government reorganisation gaining pace: West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton & Hove City councils submitted draft proposals around new structures for unitary councils in March 2025. These new councils will sit beneath the mayoral authority; county-wide surveys were launched in July to capture public input ahead of detailed proposals due in September

• New Devolution legislation introduced: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced in July 2025, establishes legal frameworks for new Mayoral Combined Authorities – including voting rules, transport authority powers and restructuring mandates for local councils.

Devolution in Sussex is not theoretical – it’s now about delivery, accountability and identity. The key themes remain on track but are enriched by these recent developments:

• Effective civic engagement and democratic literacy

• Inclusive economic growth and business support

• Environmental stewardship and spatial strategy

• Defining what leadership means, and confidence in Brand Sussex

Follow Sussex And The City for real-time updates

• Podcast, hosted by Richard Freeman, remains the central space for civic storytelling, featuring new episodes exploring skills, business ecosystems, coastal investment, and what a mayoralty could deliver.

• Bulletins continue to provide digestible, real-time breakdowns of policy, consultation milestones, emerging candidate messaging and events.

• Roundtables and events remain essential: recent topics include digital growth, business support, democratic legitimacy, climate infrastructure and land & sea governance.

• Website resources now link directly to consultation feedback, interim unitary proposals, roundtable video summaries, and downloadable explainer slides and toolkits

• Sussex And The City 100 continues to convene public, private and civic leaders – with new members including DMH Stallard, Kreston Reeves and Morgan Sindall.

Looking ahead

As we build toward the May 2026 mayoral election, Sussex And The City is anchoring the conversation by asking:

• Who will stand – and what will they stand for?

• How will communities hold the new authority to account?

• Can devolution deliver tangible improvements in housing, skills, transport and climate resilience?

Everything you need to know can be found at sussexandthecity.info