Have your say on the future of local government in West Sussex

Look out for the survey on the future of local government in West Sussex, launching in July.

As you may be aware Government has asked your councils to come up with a different way of delivering services across the county.

Devolution – setting up a Combined Mayoral Authority in Sussex

Last December, the Government asked County Councils to join together and submit plans to create mayoral authorities to provide some of the services central Government currently manage. A new mayor will choose these services but they are likely to include growing our economy and public transport.

Sussex as a whole is on a fast track to set up this structure. You will have the chance to elect the new Sussex mayor in May 2026.

Local Government Reorganisation – moving to a single level of councils in areas of England

At the moment you receive your services from Horsham District Council, West Sussex County Council and from your Parish or Neighbourhood Council. The Government has asked West Sussex and the District and Borough Councils, to bring together their services from 1 April 2028. Town and parish councils will remain.

There are now some different options for us to do this. West Sussex councils are thinking about either one or two new councils across West Sussex. We are doing lots of work to make sure that the residents and businesses in West Sussex continue to receive high quality services. Government has asked us to submit our plans for this change by 26 September.

Have your say

This summer we’ll ask for your views. We want to know what you think about where you live, the services that are important to you and how you feel about the changes ahead of us. So, do please take the opportunity to let us know in our upcoming survey.