A local government reorganisation interim plan, outlining the proposed way forward for Brighton & Hove City Council in Sussex, will be discussed at the 20 March Cabinet meeting.
The report will also set out Brighton & Hove City Council’s response to the Government’s proposals to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Sussex & Brighton with an elected Mayor.
Local government reorganisation aims to simplify council structures by replacing the two-tier system of district and county councils with unitary councils that deliver all local services.
This is the first, initial response to the government’s invitation for councils in Sussex and Brighton & Hove to develop proposals for local government reorganisation.
The government has set out that local communities will be served by ‘unitary’ councils in their area. These are councils where services are delivered together, instead of being split between county, district and borough councils. The establishment of new unitary councils will replace the two-tier system in England, including in Sussex.
Brighton & Hove is the only existing unitary authority in Sussex and therefore is not legally required to be part of reorganisation. However, changes to other councils in Sussex provides an opportunity to consider whether to stay on our current footprint or combine with other areas.
Our interim plan reflects our unique position and experience as an established unitary. It outlines the potential for creating five unitary councils across the region, with Brighton & Hove either remaining on its existing footprint or forming one of these new authorities by combining with other areas.
We believe this would ensure the diverse voices of Sussex and Brighton are represented on the new Mayoral Combined County Authority and that the specific needs of urban, rural and coastal communities are properly served.
Councillor John Hewitt, Cabinet adviser for Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who completed the survey and responded to our early initial engagement. Your views will help to shape the way forward.
“Brighton & Hove has a unique and special identity with specific local needs. We believe that the Brighton & Hove council area is broadly appropriate for our area, but we are open to change where the evidence and data supports the ambitions and priorities of our city as part of the wider Sussex area.
“It’s vitally important that we engage with our neighbouring councils in Sussex, with our residents and businesses, and with key stakeholders to explore options that support our priorities for delivering services, growing our economy, addressing inequality and achieving financial sustainability.”
To inform our interim plan in relation to Local Government Reorganisation the council invited residents, staff, businesses and organisations to share their early views through a survey. Of the 597 that took part, many responded that they believe Brighton & Hove should stay the same size, highlighting the importance of maintaining the city’s unique identity and specific local service needs, and the importance of local knowledge.
Brighton & Hove is keeping all options open and will be guided by more detailed data and evidence gathered over the summer, together with further engagement with our residents, partners and stakeholders.
We will work across Sussex to share data and collaborate on a range of options to ensure the best for our residents and for the whole of Sussex, before submitting a formal proposal to government in September 2025. Read the full report for the 20 March cabinet meeting.
A separate, government-led consultation is taking place on Sussex and Brighton Devolution. You can take part on the gov.uk website. The consultation closes on 13 April.
Brighton & Hove is part of the government’s Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) which means that elections for a Mayor for Sussex & Brighton are due to take place in May 2026.
Devolution involves transferring powers and funding from national to local government, ensuring decisions are made closer to the people, communities, and businesses they affect.
A Mayoral Combined County Authority is made of a group of councils who come together over larger areas that people recognise and work in. In Sussex and Brighton, it would allow councils to work together in a structured way and take decisions over a wider footprint, with powers and responsibilities being held by the Mayoral Combined County Authority. It does not replace councils but operates strategically across the whole region.
Read more about devolution in Sussex on our website
Find out more about local government reorganisation on our website.