#2: Devolution In Sussex? It Will Fail Without More Trust

The Sussex And The City Podcast

– Episode 2:

Devolution In Sussex? It Will Fail Without More Trust

 

Host: Richard Freeman
Guest: Emily O’Brien – Green Party councillor, Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems (Lewes District Council), and Deputy Chair of the Local Government Association’s People and Places Board (speaking in a personal capacity)

This episode is brought to you in partnership with:
Strategy+Impact – A Sussex-based consultancy helping leaders in government, business and charity shape change with communication strategies that drive real results.

🔍 Episode summary

In this thought-provoking second episode, host Richard Freeman is joined by Emily O’Brien – a councillor, campaigner and sustainability expert – to explore the democratic tension at the heart of Sussex’s devolution plans.

Emily doesn’t hold back in describing the current proposals as a “weird halfway house,” warning that what’s billed as a decentralising revolution may, in practice, centralise power even further.

With deep insight and real urgency, she argues that what's on the table could strip away local democratic accountability, weaken community agency, and concentrate too much influence in the hands of a single elected mayor and a tiny executive board. But this isn’t just critique – Emily offers practical alternatives for building a model that truly empowers people and places across Sussex.

Topics include:

• Why the current proposals risk being “fake devolution”
• The dangers of speed over sense: rushed timescales and lack of local consultation
• The case against a single elected mayor – and fears of political imbalance
• The importance of governance design and proportional representation
• The risk of a top-heavy Combined Authority with weak scrutiny
• What’s missing: climate and nature duties, transparent funding, public engagement
• Opportunities for better housing delivery, green investment, and collaborative transport
• What citizens, councillors and civil society can do to shape what comes next

This is a critical listen for anyone who wants to understand what’s at stake as Sussex stands on the brink of the biggest governance change in a generation.

👉 Sign up for regular updates on devolution and change in Sussex

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📚 Key references and further reading

• Government White Paper: “Devolution: A Plan for a More Local, More Accountable Government” (December 2023)
  The foundational document outlining current proposals for mayoral combined authorities, unitary restructuring, and regional powers.

         👉 Read on GOV.UK

 

• Local Government Association (LGA): People and Places Board
  Emily O’Brien serves as Deputy Chair. This board leads LGA’s work on devolution, regional governance and local empowerment.

         👉 About the board

 

• Institute for Government: Devolution in England: Local government reorganisation
  Clear explainer on the difference between unitary authorities, combined authorities, and the role of metro mayors.

         👉 Read here

 

• Joseph Rowntree Foundation – Principles for fair and inclusive devolution
  A critique of centralising tendencies in English devolution and why legitimacy depends on accountability, subsidiarity and community voice.

        👉 Read the report

 

• Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority – Governance Model
  An example referenced by Emily, this combined authority has faced scrutiny for lack of clarity in accountability and voter engagement.

      👉 Governance overview

 

• Private Eye Magazine – Investigations into Tees Valley and West of England mayoralties
  Referenced in the episode as cautionary tales of mayoral overreach and the dangers of weak scrutiny.

         👉 Subscribe for investigative reporting

 

• The Climate Coalition – Why local climate leadership matters
  Relevant to Emily’s call for statutory climate and nature duties alongside growth.

         👉 Read the paper

 

• Homes England – Strategic plan and regional investment data
  Emily references the challenge of unlocking Homes England funding for housebuilding at local level.

        👉 Visit Homes England

 

• Sussex Bay and The Living Coast Biosphere
  Examples of existing pan-regional collaboration across Sussex focused on green growth and environmental recovery.
  👉 The Living Coast
  👉 Sussex Bay

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• Sussex And The City project hub
  Explore resources, blogs and events connected to this podcast and the wider public engagement programme.
  sussexandthecity.info

• Sussex And The City LinkedIn page

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🎧 Production credits

• Host: Richard Freeman

• Guest: Emily O'Brien

• Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey

• Production management: Letitia McConalogue

• Recorded at: Projects: The Lanes, Brighton

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📣 Get involved

Want to contribute your voice to the debate on devolution in Sussex?
Visit sussexandthecity.info to find out more, sign up for future events, and access resources.