Devolution Update
The Government’s devolution plans are continuing at a frenetic pace, with ministers giving the green light to the establishment of a new Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) for the whole of Sussex. This comes despite significant ongoing uncertainty surrounding separate but parallel proposals to abolish all existing local authorities across the county and to replace them with new unitary councils.
Legislation will be brought before Parliament before Christmas to set up the new MCCA and to confer its core functions. The new strategic authority will be led by an elected mayor and have powers in areas such as housing and strategic planning; economic development and regeneration; environmental matters and climate change; health, wellbeing, and public service reform; local transport; and adult skills.
Membership of the new body will be drawn initially from representatives of East Sussex and West Sussex County Councils and Brighton and Hove City Council and, from 2027, members of the new unitary councils. There will be no immediate changes to how local councils operate or the services they provide.
The first mayoral election is scheduled for 7 May 2026. Local parties are gearing up for the contest and have begun to select their candidates.
The Conservatives have chosen Katy Bourne to be theirs. She is the current Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner. She was first elected to the post in November 2012 and was re-elected in 2016, 2021, and in 2024 for a fourth term of office.
Ben Dempsey is the Liberal Democrat candidate. He served as a councillor on Mid Sussex District Council between 2019-23 and finished second in the East Grinstead and Uckfield parliamentary constituency at last year’s General Election.
The Green Party has chosen Rachel Millward, the deputy leader of Wealden DC.
Martin Webb will stand as an independent candidate. He is a former business columnist for the Sunday Telegraph.
The Labour Party has shortlisted two contenders for the role: Dan Yates, former Leader of Brighton and Hove CC, and Caroline Baxter, former Labour Group Leader of West Sussex CC. Party members across Sussex have until November 7 to vote for their preferred candidate.
Reform UK has still to select a candidate.
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