Understanding Devolution and What It Means for Wealden Residents

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You may have heard discussions about devolution and local government reorganisation. But what do these terms mean for you as a resident in Wealden? Here’s a clear explanation of what’s happening and how it might affect you.


What is Devolution?

Devolution is when certain powers and funding are transferred from the central government to a more local authority. This is designed to give local areas greater control over decisions that directly impact their communities.

On 5 February, the government announced that East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove had been accepted into the devolution priority programme.


What Does This Mean for Wealden?

If devolution goes ahead, a new governing body called a Mayoral Strategic Authority will be created. The new authority would have powers over strategic issues including transport, environment and climate change, housing, economic growth, health and public safety, as shown in the graphic below.



Most everyday services that residents rely on, such as bin collections, benefit payments, environmental health, planning decisions, council tax management, and tourism and wellbeing initiatives would still be managed by your local council.


What Happens Next?

For now, there will be no immediate changes to council services or operations.


A public consultation on the devolution proposal is open until 13 April. Residents are encouraged to read the full details and share their views online.


After the consultation closes, the government will review the feedback during the spring before deciding whether to proceed with a mayoral combined authority for Sussex. Final proposals to create one or more unitary councils in East Sussex will be submitted in September. If approved, elections for the new council would take place in 2027.


What Should Residents Do?

If you would like to share your views or learn more about the devolution plans, visit the government’s consultation page online. By staying informed and taking part in the consultation, you can have a say in how these potential changes may shape the future of Wealden and Sussex as a whole.


The map below shows the proposed area of the Strategic Mayoral Authority:


You may have heard discussions about devolution and local government reorganisation. But what do these terms mean for you as a resident in Wealden? Here’s a clear explanation of what’s happening and how it might affect you.


What is Devolution?

Devolution is when certain powers and funding are transferred from the central government to a more local authority. This is designed to give local areas greater control over decisions that directly impact their communities.

On 5 February, the government announced that East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove had been accepted into the devolution priority programme.


What Does This Mean for Wealden?

If devolution goes ahead, a new governing body called a Mayoral Strategic Authority will be created. The new authority would have powers over strategic issues including transport, environment and climate change, housing, economic growth, health and public safety, as shown in the graphic below.



Most everyday services that residents rely on, such as bin collections, benefit payments, environmental health, planning decisions, council tax management, and tourism and wellbeing initiatives would still be managed by your local council.


What Happens Next?

For now, there will be no immediate changes to council services or operations.


A public consultation on the devolution proposal is open until 13 April. Residents are encouraged to read the full details and share their views online.


After the consultation closes, the government will review the feedback during the spring before deciding whether to proceed with a mayoral combined authority for Sussex. Final proposals to create one or more unitary councils in East Sussex will be submitted in September. If approved, elections for the new council would take place in 2027.


What Should Residents Do?

If you would like to share your views or learn more about the devolution plans, visit the government’s consultation page online. By staying informed and taking part in the consultation, you can have a say in how these potential changes may shape the future of Wealden and Sussex as a whole.


The map below shows the proposed area of the Strategic Mayoral Authority:


Page last updated: 03 Apr 2025, 03:56 PM