Weekly update from Chris -7th Feb 2025

Sussex Joins the Devolution Fast-track

Devolution and local government reorganisation are hardly issues to set the pulse racing – but they matter. They’re part of how we push power out of Westminster and into local communities. They’re part of how we grow our local economy, create jobs and make sure Sussex punches its weight. They’re also how we can get a more joined-up approach to really complex issues that matter hugely to my constituents – like where to build new houses, how to integrate our transport system and improve local skills training to support local businesses.

So, it’s great news that this week Sussex and Brighton were welcomed as part of the Government’s fast-track devolution programme. This means there will be a new Mayor across the region, with elections planned in May 2026. For too long, Sussex (and pretty much everywhere south of London) has been a devolution desert – and I’m hopeful this change means extra power, resources and voice for our community.

At the same time, there’s also plans to simplify local government, so we have fewer and clearer local structures. In summary: unitary authorities are in, and two-tier district and county councils are out. This is a fiendishly complicated restructure, and much of the detail is to be worked out.

To be honest, I am concerned at the pace some of this is developing at, and I’d like there to be more input from local people – including our councillors – over the shape of this restructure. It’s also disappointing that because of these changes, local elections planned for May have now been postponed in East and West Sussex. I sympathise particularly for the candidates who had been campaigning hard and, most importantly, for voters who deserve the chance to choose their representatives.

But overall, this is a big and important step forward for Sussex – and if it can help create the jobs, growth and higher pay we need in Sussex, it may set pulses racing after all.

Championing mental health

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week, an important time to highlight the challenges so many young people face and the urgent need to improve mental health services and support.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet for too long, services have been stretched to breaking point. In particular, I’ve been struck by the number of young people in my constituency who are waiting years for a mental health assessment and the hoops parents have to jump through to get their kids meaningful support.

Recently, I met with representatives from Brighton & Hove Citizens, who raised concerns about the need for stronger mental health support in our City. They ran a successful campaign for a new school-based counselling service, which was launched with funding from Brighton & Hove City Council. This initiative, created in response to a petition from local sixth formers, provides support for Year 9 students across the City. It’s a great example of what happens when communities come together to push for change, but we need to go further to ensure every young person gets the support they need.

I’m also pleased that the new Government is recruiting 8,500 new mental health staff, introducing specialist mental health support in every school and walk-in mental health hubs in every community. This is a step change from the approach of recent years and can’t come soon enough.

So, this week, I’d encourage everyone to check in on friends, family, and colleagues— to have those honest conversations that can make all the difference. No one should be left struggling in silence.

Brighton College’s Expansion Plans

Brighton College is a major part of the landscape in Kemptown and is just a few streets from my constituency office. However, its latest redevelopment proposals have sparked a debate about the balance between the school’s expansion and the interests of local residents.

The College argue that its plans – which would see the College repurpose its primary school site and build a new boarding house with space for 150 students – will reduce pressure on local housing and improve traffic congestion. Yet concerns remain among residents – including those who recently came to my constituency surgery – about the impact on the surrounding areas and the character of the community. This also comes in the wake of the College having lost an appeal to convert three houses in Walpole Road after a Government inspector upheld the Council’s decision to refuse the application, citing concerns about “discordant expansion” of the College and the character of the area.

Brighton College is expected to submit its formal planning application to the council any day now. Once the application is live on the council’s website, residents will have the opportunity to scrutinise the details and raise further concerns. I, along with local residents, will be carefully reviewing the application to ensure it is thoroughly assessed and does not negatively impact our community.

I share many of the concerns voiced by residents regarding the scale of the College’s expansion and the impact on local housing and infrastructure. The speed and scale of development must be carefully considered to avoid undermining the character of the area and the well-being of its residents. The next stage in this process will be crucial. I will continue to monitor developments closely and work with the community to ensure we get the best outcome for Kemptown.