About Devolution and Local Government reorganisation

In December, the government announced plans for district councils to be abolished to make way for new County Unitary councils and a regional system of Mayors.

On Wednesday 5 February, it was announced that East Sussex will be on the priority list for devolution and that the county council elections due in May 2025 will be cancelled. There will be elections in 2026 for a new Mayor of Sussex instead. The timescale for changes to the structures of district and borough councils is still unclear.

We will update this page with more information and details as we go through the devolution process.

Read our statement on the 5 February announcement

Read the Local Government Association's (LGA) frequently asked questions and information about devolution