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These regular bite-sized emails are from the always possible team.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We are together understanding the opportunities and risks facing growth, sustainability and identity in Sussex.

Sussex And The City is an independent and non-political project, clarifying the major reorganisation affecting Sussex and Brighton over the next two years.

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Devolution in England: where are we now?

Last week the government’s Annual Report on Devolution 2023–2024 was published.

It paints the clearest picture yet of how power is (slowly) shifting across England -and what lies ahead for regions like Sussex and Brighton considering their next moves.

🗺️ What does the report say?

Devolution within England is intended to stimulate growth, improve public services, and empower local decision-making by transferring powers and budgets from Whitehall to regional leaders. The report confirms that:

• 72% of England's population is now covered - or due to be covered very shortly - by a devolution deal.

• 15 mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) are either already operational or are being set up, including new ones in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire.

• The government remains committed to achieving "devolution everywhere" by 2030, aiming to offer a deal to every part of England that wants one.

Read the full report here

🔑 Key updates

New mayoral elections are happening in May 2025 for several of the newest areas, marking a major expansion of directly elected regional leadership.

A three-level framework for devolution (Levels 1, 2, and 3) has been formalised:

Level 3 deals (the most powerful) require a directly elected mayor and unlock control over transport, adult education, regeneration funding, and some aspects of health and policing.

There's increased focus on integrated public services - especially linking health, transport and housing agendas through combined authorities.

Progress on single financial settlements is being trialled with areas like Greater Manchester and West Midlands, reducing the need for endless competitive funding bids.

🧩 What this means for Sussex and Brighton

The model is becoming clearer: to access serious powers and funding, Sussex and Brighton will almost certainly need a Level 3 deal with an elected mayor.

Competition is heating up: More regions now have mayors in place, meaning Sussex will need a strong, distinctive pitch to stand out nationally.

Health, net zero, skills, and housing are emerging as core areas where devolved regions are expected to drive innovation - so any Sussex deal must address these clearly.

Negotiation flexibility still exists: Areas can tailor elements of their deals if they act early and build strong local consensus.

We need as many people to be a part of this process as possible, but without noice and chaos.

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