In the most recent edition of Insider Magazine, the feature article 'One Vision' offers a compelling snapshot of what leaders in Sussex and Brighton - from council chambers to corporate boardrooms - think about the region’s future under devolution.
📖 Read the full article via Flickread
🔑 The big picture: unity and friction
Sussex is economically and culturally diverse, with competing local priorities and longstanding governance boundaries. As the article outlines, the government’s plan to transfer powers from Westminster to regions through combined authorities and directly elected mayors is prompting a mix of optimism and caution across the region.
“How do you unify a county that has been divided for centuries?”
📊 Why devolution matters in Sussex
From business growth and infrastructure investment to workforce skills and net zero planning, devolution is being framed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Key drivers highlighted include:
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Boosting investment: Council leaders argue that a Sussex mayor could attract funding previously out of reach.
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Strategic infrastructure: Business figures stress the need for joined-up approaches to transport, digital, and skills.
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Local identity vs regional unity: Concerns remain about how to balance Brighton’s city interests with the needs of coastal and rural communities.
🗣️ Key voices featured
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Emma Ormiston (SHW) argues that devolution would offer Brighton greater control over shaping growth, calling it a way to unlock better decision-making and reduce friction in development.
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Richard Freeman (always possible) urges readers to see devolution as a democratic and economic lever—“but only if we use it properly”, warning against symbolic structures without purpose.
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Cllr Paul Marshall (West Sussex CC) reinforces his support for a single West Sussex unitary authority and a streamlined system of service delivery.
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Cllr Keith Glazier (East Sussex CC) says a Sussex-wide strategic authority will “give people a stronger voice” and make it easier to speak with one voice to government.
🌿 Growth sectors: green, tourism, manufacturing
The article also highlights sectors that could benefit from devolved powers:
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Green innovation in Shoreham and Crawley
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Advanced manufacturing and skills development in West Sussex
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Cultural and visitor economy strengths across the coast
The Sussex Bay nature recovery programme, the Gatwick Diamond economic zone, and the skills strategies led by further education providers all feature as examples of where joined-up planning could make a difference.
🧩 What does this mean going forward?
The piece clearly positions devolution as both a governance and economic project. But it also shows that Sussex’s complexity is its biggest challenge: merging county councils, city leadership, coastal needs and rural identities into one coherent voice won’t be easy.
Still, maybe there’s a common thread emerging: local business and civic leaders feel like they are ready to lead in new ways - if given the tools.
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