Each month, local Green Party members meet for an informal online chat, related to Green Party policy. You are invited to join us for the next discussion:

Thursday 26 June, 7pm-8.30pm

Topic: devolution update

A chance to discuss the upcoming government plans for local devolution. With updates from our councillors on the progress so far, and discussion on mayoral campaign planning.

This event will be a chance to listen, learn and understand, not a debate.

Big changes are coming, but who is going to be in charge?

Next year we will be voting for a Mayor of Sussex. This will be a Mayor with power and with a budget. The Mayor will have control of transport, housing, public services, environment and climate change and much more.

The Reform Party have been making big gains in local by-elections, coming second in most of them and even winning some.

Would you want a Reform Mayor when one of their main policies is to reverse many climate and energy policies?

Find out the local Green Party's plans to campaign for a Green Mayor, and what you can do to help.

Alongside this, our local government structure is set to change in two to three years. Instead of our District and County Councils we will have a new Unitary Authority. Will it include Crawley and Gatwick? How big will our unitary authority be? Will they have more money? Will they improve local services?

What is clear is the new authority will be large and could be more remote, making it harder for new councillors to be aware of local issues. These are all big changes that are coming, but exactly how they will change is still a work in progress.

Sarah Sharp, our Green County Councillor will be joined by some of our District Councillors to present the plans and options so far. Join in the discussion and make your opinion heard.

Recommended pre-reading:

• West Sussex County Council: Future of local government  

Our next policy discussion meetings:

• Friday 15 August, 7pm-8.30pm: TBC
• Friday 19 September, 7pm-8.30pm: TBC
• Friday 17 October, 7pm-8.30pm: TBC
• Friday 21 November, 7pm-8.30pm: TBC

Join us from the comfort of your own home, via Zoom. Please sign up to receive the link.

We choose a different area of Green policy to explore and discuss each time. Please contact us with your suggestions for future topics. This is a welcoming and respectful space to get together, and members are invited to contribute their knowledge, experience, ideas and questions.

Please also sign up here if you're interested in getting more involved with local volunteering.

Thanks for your interest and support - we look forward to seeing you soon!