Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority

Formed in the 5th century as the Kingdom of Sussex in the region largely inhabited by the Romano-British Regni tribe, Sussex later became a county within England. By the 12th century, Sussex was administered as several districts known as Rapes and in the 1890s, although considered a single county, separate county councils for east and west, as well as independent county boroughs for its larger towns were established within it. In 1974 Sussex lost its status as a ceremonial county and separate posts of Lord Lieutenant were established for East and West Sussex. Sussex continues to be recognised as a single county or region for many purposes and in the 21st century a county day and a flag were established. There were calls for the devolution of powers from Whitehall to Sussex from former MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle^[7][8][9] and historian Chris Hare,^[10] while cultural historian Peter Brandon referred to the current division of Sussex into east and west as 'unnatural'.^[11]

The post of Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner was established in 2012 and in 2014 the Greater Brighton Economic Board was established to deliver strategic economic improvements across central parts of the region. Following contradicting proposals to establish devolved authorities for the Greater Brighton City Region and for East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey (but not Brighton and Hove), a 2024 report for the Institute for Government recommended a single mayor for the Sussex region on the grounds of its economic geography, cultural identity and existing administrations, such as Sussex Police.^[12] At the same time, council leaders across Sussex came together to form a new partnership, following which Sussex was invited to join the UK Government's Devolution Priority Programme.^[13]

The Government has announced that the authority will be called the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority. Since Brighton is already part of Sussex, the name alludes to the three top-level authorities at its establishment, i.e. East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton and Hove.

The name has been criticised as clumsy, diminishing to the historic integrity of Sussex, with calls from both East and West Sussex county councils for the name to simply be “Sussex”, as a stronger choice for the long term.^[14][15]

The combined authority contains:^[13][16]

• East Sussex County Council
• West Sussex County Council
• Brighton and Hove City Council

The Combined Authority Board consists of the leaders and deputy leaders of the constituent authorities. The board members nominate a chair from amongst themselves until the first Mayor of Sussex and Brighton is elected in 2028.^[17]

Combined Authority Board

Chair

• Keith Glazier, since 15 April 2026

• Devolution in the United Kingdom § England