Eastern Powerhouse’s Post

📜 Last month the government announced it intends to pass a new English Devolution Bill which aims to kickstart economic growth by transferring more powers out of Westminster. 💡As we move away from being the most centralised nation in the developed world, our landmark publication, Power in Place, provides evidence-led ideas for how we can improve place-based approaches to tackle inequality and drive growth 🔗Read the full publication here: https://lnkd.in/evTUVZbf

Our Chair, Cllr Louise Gittins responds to the Government’s English Devolution White Paper: “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.” Read our response in full: https://lnkd.in/ej7uJ8Px

*BREAKING* After months of speculation, it's a landmark day for all remaining two-tier areas of Local Government - and that includes Kent, Medway and our district councils. The Government is expected to set out detailed proposals for reorganisation for English devolution white paper later today. It's likely that proposals will be to create “strategic authorities” in order to “avoid duplication and give our cities and regions a bigger voice” by setting up a network of new unitary councils with a minimum population of 500,000. That's the equivalent in Kent of new 3-4 new Councils, each with twice the rough population of Medway (already a unitary authority). It will provide for new strategic planning powers for mayors would give them the "ability to guide infrastructure and development projects across areas”. The challenge will be many including: 🧣 Bringing together existing local authorities of different political hues 💷 Local authorities with different socio-economic profiles 🏠 Councils with Local Plans - at different stages of progress - and housing targets ...and how democracy will be delivered. Let's see what happens today and whether the story stacks up - and I'll look at how it's likely to impact on the Kent landscape.

Many interesting topics that worth to have a look for those having an interest on the devolution (or subsidiarity: right legislation at the right level principle). https://lnkd.in/eTXswsNC

The English Devolution White paper sets out a bold set of reforms for local government 🏛️ Devolution of new powers and responsibilities will be a cornerstone of this. Read our latest blog to see how our evidence on policy challenges in local growth can support meeting these new responsibilities👇 https://buff.ly/4g1PiDj

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has today published the English Devolution White Paper, setting out proposals for enhanced devolved powers across England's regions. The White Paper outlines potential changes to strategic planning powers and the creation of new 'strategic authorities' across England. These proposals aim to bring together councils over areas where people live and work. Read the announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eDpKWfWH #Planning #LocalGovernment #Devolution #UKGov

Sharing my thoughts on last week's proposals for English devolution... which mostly focuses on local government reorganisation. I worry about playing around with structures without a clear purpose for doing so. It will be in the execution of ambition that we find out what the real purpose of reorganisation is... are there diamonds in the rough, or will it prove to be fools gold? #localgovernment #reorganisation (because, anything to avoid Christmas shopping!!) https://lnkd.in/eA8MJhQ5

The Government recently published their English Devolution White Paper. What is it? What are the key proposals, potential benefits, challenges and criticisms? Lydia Hart, associate in our Social Housing team, shares an overview 👇 https://lnkd.in/enpkeEME #GovernmentPolicy #EnglishDevolutionWhitePaper

🏆 Our #Researchoftheweek goes to Institute for Government for their report ‘A new deal for England: How the next government should complete the job of English devolution’. ⬇ It calls on the next government to reset the English devolution agenda and puts forward 30 proposals to be implemented over the next five years. These include: ➡ Extending devolution to at least 85% of England’s population, with devolution to England’s remaining large urban areas prioritised in the first half of the parliament. ➡ Publish a complete and final map of the boundaries for English devolution – with boundaries determined by reference to a clear decision-making framework ➡ Expanding the ‘trailblazer’ devolution offer to both Greater Manchester and West Midlands to include things like strategic spatial planning and employment support ➡ Agreeing new trailblazer deals in places like Liverpool City Region, West and South Yorkshire, the North East and Tees Valley. ➡ Review the electoral system for mayoral elections – with a view to the replacement of first-past-the-post with either the supplementary/alternative vote system. 🔗 Read here: https://lnkd.in/eNG_n2VD Akash Paun Thomas Pope Matthew Fright Rebecca McKee Briony Allen Nick Davies Matthew Gill Catherine Haddon Gemma Tetlow Tim Durrant Dr Hannah White OBE

The Devolution Bill, published on 16 December, has huge implications for planning and development. It has been the 'elephant in the room' for some time. We are facing the biggest shake up of local government since 1972. Many existing local councils will be subsumed into larger strategic authorities. These will have wider powers, including strategic planning and call-in powers. We have summerised the English Devolution White Paper here: https://lnkd.in/ezygHMKw