Devolution: One of the Government’s flag ship policies
Devolution has been a government priority since the election and was heralded by Keir Stamer and the Labour party long before.
The Prime Minister promised to make economic growth his government’s first priority, and handing more powers to local authorities was put at the heart of the policy.
‘Those with skin in the game are the ones who know best what they need…by resetting these crucial relationships and putting more power into the hands of local leaders’, said The Prime Minister.
‘Work will now continue at pace to deliver on manifesto commitments to transfer power out of Whitehall, and into our communities, with upcoming devolution legislation to take back control’ Angela Rayner, former Deputy Prime Minister.
The first elections for six elected mayors of combined authorities took place back in 2017. Each was designed to have a cabinet made up of the mayor and leaders of the councils in the combined authority.
In May elections took place for the six original metro mayors, the London mayor and three new posts. This included to Reform UK mayors in Hull and East Yorkshire and Greater Lincolnshire.
Including London there are now fourteen regions with elected mayors. In total, there are eight metro mayors (focused on major conurbations), five regional mayors (covering more rural counties) and the London Mayor.
Each area with a combined mayor has a separate deal with Government. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will aim to put in place a new framework with three types of Strategic Authorities: Foundation Mayor, Established Mayor and May of London. Established authorities have shown a track record of capability and ready to receive additional powers.
The next steps.
In May 2026, six areas will join the priority devolution programme: Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton and Hampshire and Solent.
In addition to devolution, many councils are facing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), with the aim of ending two tier local government. This is creating huge levels of concern for many and opportunities for others.
The opportunities for combined authorities are clear: a strategic role in delivering local and regional transport solutions, education and training for adults, spatial development strategies, powers to compulsory purchase land for housing (currently only available to Homes England), the creation of development corporations, a mayoral community infrastructure levy, tax raising powers, creation of local growth plans, encouraging visitors to the region, improving health care.
The challenge for Government is to provide enough bandwidth for it vast programme including devolution and LGR. There is little doubt that the whole of England will have combined mayors in time and the only question is when.