LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ENGLAND
TRANSPORT, ENGLAND
The Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority Regulations 2026
Made25th March 2026
Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1(2) and (3)
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3(5)(b) of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 20141 and sections 9(1), 10(1) and (4), 13(1), (2) and (3), 16(1), 18(1), (3), (4) and (5), 19(1), (2) and (3), 27(1), 30(1), (7), (9), (10), 32(1) and (2), 52(1), 53(1), 252(1) and (2) of, and paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 and paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 20232 (“the 2023 Act”).
In making these Regulations, the Secretary of State—
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is satisfied that the area to which these Regulations relate meets the conditions set out in section 9(2) and (3) of the 2023 Act;
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considers that these Regulations are likely to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in the area to which the Regulations relate, in accordance with sections 20(1)(b) and 46(1)(a) of the 2023 Act;
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has had regard to the need to secure effective and convenient local government and to reflect the identities and interests of local communities, in accordance with section 46(1)(b) of the 2023 Act;
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has carried out a public consultation in accordance with section 46(3) of the 2023 Act;
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considers that the functions specified in regulations 8 and 13 can appropriately be exercised by the Combined County Authority.
In accordance with sections 10(8)(a), 16(2)(a), 18(6)(a), 20(2)(b), 28(2)(a), 30(11)(a), 46(1)(d) and 52(2) of the 2023 Act, Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council have consented to the making of these Regulations.
In accordance with section 20(6) of the 2023 Act, the Secretary of State has laid a report before Parliament explaining the effect of these Regulations and why the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to make these Regulations.
A draft of this instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament pursuant to section 252(4) of the 2023 Act.
Part 1 General¶
I11 Citation, commencement and extent¶
I22 Interpretation¶
In these Regulations—-
“the 1989 Act” means the Local Government and Housing Act 19893;
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“the 2000 Act” means the Transport Act 20004;
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“the 2003 Act” means the Local Government Act 20035;
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“the 2023 Act” means the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023;
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“the Area” means the area consisting of the areas of the constituent councils;
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“the Combined County Authority” means the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority as established by regulation 3;
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“constituent councils” means Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council;
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“election for the return of the mayor” means an election held pursuant to regulation 6;
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“the mayor” means the mayor for the Area;
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“member” is to be interpreted in accordance with paragraph 1(3) of the Schedule.
Part 2 Establishment of the Combined County Authority¶
I33 Establishment¶
I44 Modification of financial reporting requirements¶
The requirement in section 3(3) of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (general requirements for accounts) for a relevant authority to prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year6 is, in respect of the Combined County Authority—I55 Constitution¶
The Schedule makes provision about the constitution of the Combined County Authority.Part 3 Election of mayor¶
I66 Election of mayor¶
I77 Political adviser¶
Part 4 Transport etc.¶
I88 Local transport functions under the 2000 Act¶
During the period beginning with the day after the day on which these Regulations are made and ending with 8th May 2028, the functions of the constituent councils specified in the following sections of the 2000 Act are exercisable by the Combined County Authority in relation to the Area concurrently with the constituent councils—I99 Power to pay grant¶
Part 5 Mayoral functions¶
I1010 Functions exercisable only by the mayor¶
I1111 Joint committees¶
The mayor may enter into arrangements jointly with the Combined County Authority, the constituent councils and other local authorities in accordance with section 101(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 (arrangement for discharge of functions by local authorities)13 for the discharge of the general functions of the Combined County Authority which are exercisable only by the mayor pursuant to regulation 10.Part 6 Funding¶
I1212 Funding¶
Part 7 Additional functions¶
I1313 Data sharing¶
I1414 Incidental provisions¶
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Schedule ¶
Constitution
Regulation 5
I151 Membership¶
I162 Chair and vice-chair¶
I173 Non-constituent and associate members¶
I184 Proceedings¶
I195 Records¶
I206 Standing orders¶
The Combined County Authority may make standing orders for the regulation of its proceedings and business, provided that the standing orders are consistent with this Schedule, and may vary or revoke any such orders.I217 Remuneration and pensions ¶
I228 Constitution¶
The Combined County Authority may make provision about its constitution, provided that the provision made is consistent with this Schedule.Footnotes
- I1Reg. 1 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I2Reg. 2 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I3Reg. 3 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I4Reg. 4 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I5Reg. 5 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I6Reg. 6 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I7Reg. 7 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I8Reg. 8 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I9Reg. 9 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I10Reg. 10 in force at 8.5.2028, see reg. 1(3)
- I11Reg. 11 in force at 8.5.2028, see reg. 1(3)
- I12Reg. 12 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I13Reg. 13 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I14Reg. 14 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I15Sch. para. 1 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I16Sch. para. 2 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I17Sch. para. 3 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I18Sch. para. 4 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I19Sch. para. 5 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I20Sch. para. 6 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I21Sch. para. 7 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- I22Sch. para. 8 in force at 26.3.2026, see reg. 1(2)
- F1Words in Sch. para. 7 heading inserted (11.5.2026) by The Local Government Pension Scheme (Elected Member Pensions) (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/410), regs. 1(1), 2(a)
- F2Words in Sch. para. 7(1) substituted (11.5.2026) by The Local Government Pension Scheme (Elected Member Pensions) (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/410), regs. 1(1), 2(b)
- F3Sch. paras. 7(3A)(3B) inserted (11.5.2026) by The Local Government Pension Scheme (Elected Member Pensions) (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/410), regs. 1(1), 2(c)
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2014 c. 2.
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2023 c. 55.
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1989 c. 42.
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2000 c. 38.
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2003 c. 26.
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“Financial year” is defined in section 3(4) of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
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1983 c. 2. Section 37 was amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50), renumbered by section 17 of, and paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to, the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29), and further amended by S.I. 2018/1310.
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1971 c. 80.
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Section 9 was amended by sections 61 and 204 of, and paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to, the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28) and by S.I. 2001/2237. There are other amendments not relevant to these Regulations.
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Section 108 was amended by sections 7 to 9 and 77 of, and paragraphs 41 and 42 of Schedule 4 and Part 1 of Schedule 7 to, the Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), paragraph 96 of Schedule 6 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), and paragraphs 124 and 125 of Schedule 4 to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
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Section 109 was amended by paragraph 3 of the Schedule to the Transport (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 5), section 9 of the Local Transport Act 2008, paragraph 97 of Schedule 6 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and paragraph 126 of Schedule 4 to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
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Section 112 was amended by sections 10(3) to (5) and 11 of, and Part 1 of Schedule 7 to, the Local Transport Act 2008, and by paragraph 48 of Schedule 26 to the Equality Act 2010 (c. 15).
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1972 c. 70.
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The Statistics Board is established in section 1 of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 (c. 18).
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1992 c. 14. Section 40 was amended by section 83 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, paragraph 7 of Schedule 17 to the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20) and section 5 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1).
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1998 c. 37. Section 17A was inserted by paragraph 5 of Schedule 9 to the Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48) and amended by paragraph 45 of Schedule 19 to the Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12).
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Section 115 was amended by paragraphs 150 and 151 of Schedule 7 to the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43); section 97 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30); section 219 of the Housing Act 2004 (c. 34); paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to the Police and Justice Act 2006; section 29 of the Transport for London Act 2008 (c. 1); paragraphs 231 and 238 of Schedule 16 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13); paragraphs 83 and 90 of Schedule 5 to the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7); paragraph 80 of Schedule 1 and paragraph 106 of Schedule 2 to the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3); paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 and paragraph 57 of Schedule 4 to the Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31); and S.I. 2000/90, 2002/2469, 2007/961, 2008/912, 2010/866 and 2013/602.
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Subsection (2) was amended by section 3(1)(c) of the Local Government Act 1986 (c. 10).
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Section 222 was amended by Schedules 1 and 2 to the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3) and by S.I. 2022/372.
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Section 13 was amended by paragraph 156 of Schedule 19 to the Education Act 1993 (c. 35); paragraph 36 of Part 1 of Schedule 4 and Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Police and Magistrates’ Courts Act 1994 (c. 29); Schedule 24 to the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25); paragraph 96 of Schedule 37 to the Education Act 1996 (c. 56); paragraph 22 of Schedule 30 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31); Part 4 of Schedule 5 to the Children Act 2004 (c. 31); paragraph 81 of Schedule 6 to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20); paragraph 14 of Schedule 14 and Part 4 of Schedule 22 to the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23); paragraph 15 of Schedule 8 to the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (c. 25); paragraph 12 of Schedule 5 to the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016; section 7 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3); and by S.I. 2001/1517 and 2010/1158.
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S.I. 2013/2356, amended by S.I. 2015/755; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
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2011 c. 20.
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Section 27(6) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 provides that the mayor for the area of a combined county authority is by virtue of that office a member of, and chair of, the combined county authority.
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For the meaning of “non-constituent member” and “associate member” see sections 11 and 12 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
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“Nominating body” is defined in sections 11(1) and 57 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
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S.I. 2017/611, as amended by S.I. 2024/652.
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“Deputy mayor” is defined in section 29(7) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
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S.I. 2017/68. Article 16 was inserted by S.I. 2024/430.