FRUSTRATION has been aired over the speed of devolution for Sussex with upheaval in Westminster and a shortage of council officers blamed for delays.

Councillors and university bosses expressed their disappointment that plans for local authorities to receive more powers from Westminster have not progressed further.

Council officials blamed a lack of capacity within officer teams over the summer and a change of leadership among the key figures behind devolution including Chancellor George Osborne for the slowing down of progress.

And there were also concerns that local plans will not move forward as long as the government maintains a strong insistence for elected mayors as part of any devolution package.

The Greater Brighton Devolution Bid has also suffered a setback in failing to appoint a policy and projects manager despite a recruitment process, meaning consultants will be brought in to provide specialist knowledge to develop the project.

Work has begun in creating "the necessary governance arrangements" for the city region with the Greater Brighton Strategic Property Board set for its inaugural meeting next week.

It is now planned that a negotiation document for devolution will be brought before the next Greater Brighton Economic Board meeting in January.

Nick Hibberd, Brighton and Hove City Council's executive director of economy, environment and culture, told the economic board meeting that progress had been “steady rather than stellar”.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative group leader in Brighton and Hove, said: “I’m a bit disappointed that things have not moved further forward, January is another few months down the line.

“I am conscious that a decision on the second runway at Gatwick is imminent and should that happen, very quickly that will have repercussions in our area particularly with transport links.”

University of Brighton vice-chancellor Debra Humphris also expressed her disappointment and was told by council officials that work on developing a Greater Brighton Creative Industries Council had stalled because of a shortage of officers available to work on it.

Councillor Warren Morgan, Brighton and Hove City Council leader, said nothing had changed from the Government on their requirement for an elected mayor, despite a change of personnel at both the Treasury and Department of Local Government and Communities.

He said going through the process for an elected mayor would delay devolution bid by a minimum of 18 months even if there was public support for the scheme.

The city voted 62 per cent against an elected mayor when a referendum was held in 2001.

Worthing Borough Council leader Daniel Humphries said the sentiment at the Conservative Party Conference was a categorical requirement for elected mayors.

Cllr Humphries suggested that Sussex’s devolution could be along the lines of Cornwall, which has received additional powers so far without a requirement for an elected mayor, rather than the Northern Powerhouse devolution in Manchester, where residents will go to the polls next May to choose its mayor.