Local decision-making is being reshaped. Upon taking office in 2024, Labour pledged to shift power out of Westminster and standardise how local areas are run – through devolution and local government reorganisation.
A Devolution White Paper set the course – universal Mayoral Strategic Authorities, a standard framework and stronger mayoral tools – while the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill (introduced 10 July 2025) aims to put this into law, including clearer powers for mayors, the option to mandate reorganisation and a duty to produce statutory Local Growth Plans.
What does this actually mean?
Devolution transfers powers and long-term funding from central government to locally accountable institutions – typically combined (regional) authorities led by an elected mayor – covering strategic issues like transport, skills, housing and growth.
Local government reorganisation replaces two-tier counties with larger single-tier unitary councils, creating one accountable body for local services (including planning, highways, waste, public health and social care).
Cities and urban areas tend to be covered by a Mayoral Strategic Authority, but the government’s direction of travel is full national coverage by 2030.
Spotlight on Sussex & Brighton
Sussex and Brighton are among six areas on the fast-track devolution priority programme. The Government has consulted on a Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Combined County Authority (East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove) with the first mayoral election set for May 2026.
The new Mayor of Sussex and Brighton will be given powers and funding from government. They will be a figurehead for growth and improvement in the region, with a key focus on:
- Economic growth
- Improving transport connectivity
- Investment in infrastructure
- Setting the strategic planning framework for the area
- Becoming the Local Transport Authority, with options for bus franchising and stronger ties to National Highways
- Adult skills devolution (AEB) and hosting the region’s Growth Hub for business support
- A new duty on health improvement/inequalities across devolved functions
Alongside the introduction of a new Mayoral Strategic Authority, reorganisation to form new unitary councils continues in the background, with the introduction of new unitary authorities to be completed by 2028. How these new councils will look is to be decided, with Brighton & Hove City Council currently consulting on four different options: https://yourvoice.brighton-hove.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/exploring-the-options-for-local-government-reorganisation
Implications for Coast to Capital partners: expect a single Sussex and Brighton-wide lens on spatial planning and a more joined-up business and skills offer. There will be fewer councils to engage with – hopefully streamlining procurement and decision-making.
What’s next for Surrey?
Surrey is moving at pace. Unlike Sussex and Brighton, where local government reorganisation and devolution proceed independently, the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority in Surrey is dependent on local government reorganisation.
Government ministers invited unitary options and held a consultation over the summer. There are two proposals currently under review: Surrey County Council’s two-unitary model (East/West) and a three-unitary map from districts/boroughs (East/North/West). A Reigate & Banstead-Crawley cross-boundary unitary was not part of the consultation. The financial context – especially Woking’s legacy debt – remains a key factor.
In practice, residents would move from a county-plus-districts system to two or three all-purpose unitaries, followed by service integration and council tax harmonisation. That reorganisation clears the way for a Surrey devolution deal and creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority – likely with a directly elected strategic mayor – bringing services such as bus franchising, consolidated transport budgets and adult skills commissioning into a county-wide settlement. A ministerial decision on local government reorganisation is expected in the autumn, with elections to new councils in May 2026, and a mayoral election in May 2027.
For the Coast to Capital economy, where labour markets and infrastructure knit across the Surrey-Sussex line, the eventual governance footprint will shape how coherently the area can plan growth, skills and transport.
Bottom line
The South East faces a once-in-a-generation reset. Sussex and Brighton are preparing for a powerful new mayoral institution, while Surrey is advancing local government reorganisation as the gateway to a devolution deal.
The Government’s Industrial Strategy signals the importance of Mayoral Strategic Authorities in achieving economic growth. The winners will be those who pre-align spatial, skills and investment across the Sussex-Surrey boundary – and show they can deliver policy mandates set out by leaders that translate into projects, jobs and homes at pace.
Talk to us for more information on up-to-date plans in your area.
