A new Mayoral Combined County Authority is being set up across East and West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove, even though a mayor won’t be elected until 2028.
The government says acting now allows councils to access £12 million a year in funding.
That money will be used to help drive growth and invest in transport and education.
What is a Mayoral Combined County Authority?
A new Mayoral Combined County Authority is a formal partnership between local councils that allows them to work together at a regional level and receive powers and funding directly from central government.
For residents in East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove, it means decisions about key issues like transport, skills, and economic growth will increasingly be made closer to home, rather than in Whitehall.
Under the new arrangement, council leaders from the three areas will jointly oversee the authority until a mayor is elected in 2028. Once fully established, the authority will be led by a directly elected mayor, giving the region a single figurehead to represent Sussex and Brighton in negotiations with the government.
The government says setting up the authority now allows the area to access around £12 million a year in new funding. That money is expected to be used to improve public transport, support job creation, boost adult education and skills training, and help drive long-term economic growth.
For residents, the changes won’t be immediate, but over time, the aim is better coordinated transport, more local investment, and greater local control over how money is spent across the region.
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