Devolution White Paper promises greater powers for regional Mayors

The UK Government has published its English Devolution White Paper, which promises an expansion of powers for regional Mayors.

The White Paper sets out plans for regional Mayors, such as already exist in Greater Manchester and other urban areas across the North, to become the standard for local government across the UK as part of plans to decentralise power away from Westminster. Plans also will look to streamline local government in rural areas by merging district and county councils into unitary authorities of around 500,000 inhabitants, and bringing councils together into larger strategic authorities as already exists in Greater Manchester’s Combined Authority.

Under new devolution plans, Mayors will be equipped with a range of new powers across strategic planning, housing, transport and skills to effect change in their regions. Mayors in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region and the North East will be the first to receive new integrated funding settlements, covering housing, regeneration, local growth, transport, skills, retrofit and employment support and eliminating the need to apply to Whitehall for funding on a case-by-case basis.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner, who set out plans at an event in Leeds, said:? 

“Devolution is about delivering fundamental change at every level. It’s about giving local leaders the tools – and the trust – they need to forge their areas’ futures.? 

“It’s about raising living standards, improving public services and building the homes we so desperately need – all key aspects of our Plan for Change. It cuts across every aspect of government. 

“We have an economy that hoards potential and a politics that hoards power. So our devolution revolution will deliver the greatest transfer of power from Whitehall to our communities in a generation, empowering those communities to realise their potential. And nobody is more excited about it than I am.”? 

Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon said:

“At its core, this White Paper sets out how the Government will strengthen and widen the mayoral model of devolution across England. It will shift power, decision making and money away from Westminster as part of a completely new way of governing, equipping more mayors working hand in glove with confident and stable local councils with a stronger set of levers to drive growth in their communities.

“It will empower them through integrated funding settlements, a direct role in the rail network, greater control over strategic planning and housing funding and skills training, so that they can deliver tangible change on a local and regional level.

Responding to the Government’s English Devolution White Paper on behalf of local governments, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

“We want every council in England to be able to secure devolution that works for them, their local economies, and their residents. While different areas will have strong views on what that should look like, genuine devolution of powers and resources can play a huge role in promoting inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, and improving public services. In a very centralised country, moving funding and power from Whitehall to local leaders is needed, but it must be done in a way where empowered councils and the communities they serve are at the heart of decision-making.

“Reforms in this white paper will have a significant impact on every council and community. While our members are – and always have been – open to change, we remain clear that local government reorganisation should be a matter for councils and local areas to decide. In the coming weeks and months, the LGA will be engaging proactively with all our members across the country as we look to respond fully to the white paper. At the same time, we will be closely monitoring the bill and working with Parliamentarians to ensure we get the best possible legislation on behalf of our members.

“However, devolution is not an end in itself and cannot distract from the severe funding pressures that are pushing local services to the brink. It is vital the forthcoming provisional Local Government Finance Settlement provides councils with a significant and sustained increase in overall funding that reflects current and future demand for services. This should include compensation for the changes to employer national insurance contributions announced in the Budget.”