22/07/2025

Under Government proposals work has been underway for some months involving two separate processes that will shape the future of local authorities and the delivery of services across Sussex.

Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government, specifically to newly created strategic authorities that will be led by mayors. Locally this would mean a single authority and a mayor for Brighton & Hove together with the two counties of West and East Sussex.

Local government reorganisation is the process of restructuring local authorities, specifically to move to a single level of councils in areas of England where there are currently two levels (County and Districts), such as in West Sussex.

West Sussex County Council will be submitting its proposal on the changes in September and there is still time to comment on the options.

More information and a link to the survey that closes on 13th August can be found on the County Councils website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/future-of-local-government-in-sussex/

07/07/2025

Time is running out to provide feedback on the South Downs National Park Authority’s Partnership Management Plan (PMP). Individuals and Organisations have until 1st August to respond by completing a survey.

The SDNPA regards its Partnership Management Plan as the most important document for the National Park. It is a plan for the next five years that will affect everyone living or working in the area and sets out the shared ambitions of many different partners for the management of the South Downs National Park.

Full details of the plan and links to the survey are to be found on the SDNPA’s website at https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/national-park-authority/our-work/partnership-management/

For queries about the PMP or the survey, email: ManagementPlan@southdowns.gov.uk