1. Local Government Devolution and Reorganisation
1.1 The Chairman agreed that the decision taken by the Cabinet at a meeting on 9 January 2025 was urgent. The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve that the Leader writes to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution:
1) Confirming the Council’s clear commitment to devolution and local government reorganisation as part of the Devolution Priority Programme, based on a proposal for the devolution of powers to a new combined authority for the Sussex area covering the areas of the three upper tier authorities.
2) Confirming the Council’s commitment to developing a proposal for unitary government in East Sussex.
3) Inviting the Government to postpone elections in May 2025, for a year, to enable the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation to be developed and the early implementation of the proposed devolution arrangements.
The reason for urgency arose because the English Devolution White Paper was issued on 16 December, followed by a letter from the Secretary of State imposing a 10 January 2025 response deadline which was the day following the Cabinet meeting.
9 January 2025 COUNCILLOR ROY GALLEY
(Chairman of the Council)