Decision details

To consider the Council’s response to the Government’s letter asking for a clear commitment to devolution and reorganisation by 10 January including whether to request the postponement of County Council elections.

41.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

41.2     It was 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.

Reasons

41.3     It is recommended that the Council responds to the Government’s invitation by expressing a commitment to work with partners to develop proposals for a mayoral strategic authority for the area of Sussex, and to seek to take advantage of the benefits of participating in the Devolution Priority Programme. It is also recommended that the letter to the Government includes a commitment to reorganisation, with a view to taking advantage of the benefits that offers, and to ensure that we are aligned, and consistent with, the other upper tier local authorities in the proposed strategic authority.

41.4     The development and delivery of the proposed devolution and reorganisation will require significant commitment and resource. It is therefore proposed that the Government be invited to postpone the County Council elections, scheduled for May 2025, for a year to help enable detailed proposals for a Strategic Authority and local government reorganisation to be developed, with a view to helping manage the demands of devolution alongside reorganisation.