Many of you have contacted me on the subject of Devolution recently and what it will mean for Worthing West – especially after I questioned the Prime Minister on it this week at PMQ’s. There is understandably a certain amount of apprehension about such a big change to our local government structure, as well as concerns about the postponed May County Council elections. And so here is my take on what I believe will be a fantastic opportunity both for Worthing and for Sussex as a whole.
The new structure will mean that instead of having two tiers of local government – Borough and then County Council, a new strategic Sussex authority will be set up, led by an elected Mayor. In other words it will be closer, say, to Manchester and the West Midlands, which as I’m sure you’ll agree, have been transformed in the day-to-day, tangible benefits brought to their regions.
As the Prime Minister said in reply to my question, ‘I believe those with skin in the game make the best decisions for their communities’. That’s because merging two tiers of local government into one will give residents a more direct say in how their local area is run. If we take Worthing as an example, we currently have one council responsible for sweeping the streets and another for repairing them, or one council collecting household waste and another recycling it. Merging them will make local government not only more efficient and responsive but crucially, more directly accountable to the residents – giving you a stronger voice in how decisions are made and your money is spent.
But perhaps an even bigger advantage is in terms of investment and opportunity. An elected Sussex Mayor will mean more funding and greater powers to invest specifically in what an area needs most, rather than having to bid and compete for short term pots of money from the national government. Funding will be allocated on a longer-term basis and be invested strategically to meet local needs – like transport, housing, education, social care and economic growth. This is why devolution is being called the greatest transfer of power out of Westminster to the English regions in over a century.
On the subject of the May elections, there has been a lot of talk going around especially on social media about them having been ‘cancelled’. The reality however is that they’ve been postponed for a year until the reorganisation is in place, so that those who are elected will see out a full four-year rather than just a one-year term – saving local taxpayers millions of Pounds in the process.
The other common question that has been raised is, but why the rush? Devolution was a key manifesto commitment of the new government and by joining this priority scheme, Sussex residents will be among the first in the country to benefit from these changes. And will be given the chance to shape how that process works rather than having it imposed upon us as a done deal.
Members from all tiers of local government will be in consultation with residents throughout the process to ensure that our communities are the first to be heard and as I said in my question to the Prime Minister, gain ‘meaningful control’ of the future of Worthing West and our wonderful coastal town.
Devolving power away from Westminster to the English regions was a key manifesto commitment and the government are delivering at pace.
Decision-making and funding should be in the hands of local communities who know their needs best. In order to get this right the government are inviting views on the proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for Sussex. Please click the following link to share your views : Sussex and Brighton Devolution Consultation.
The consultation seeks views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas of East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, and Brighton and Hove City Council.
As at any time, if you have any thoughts on this, please let me know on beccy.cooper.mp@parliament.uk
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