Trowers & Hamlins’ Post

Thanks Simon Henig, a really clear explainer.

Less but more professional councillors. This remains one of the greatest opportunities of local government reform and a vital ingredient for ambitious devolution plans. We explored this last week when colleagues from across the country came together to host a webinar. Kelham Cooke’s write up is a good summary. Particularly: ‘it is clear that devolution presents both a remarkable opportunity and a significant challenge for the sector. It has the potential to create a governance system that is more responsive to local needs and better equipped to deliver for communities. However, achieving this will require innovation, cross-party working and a clear commitment to putting people at the heart of decision-making.’ https://lnkd.in/eRHceEz6

Very useful 7-point guide to the English Devolution White Paper👇🏼

I welcome the reforms announced by the government today and the commitment to “devolution by default”. They can start by fast tracking North Somerset into the combined authority on our doorstep, the West of England Combined Authority. North Somerset has been locked out of funding and powers to manage local services better by not being part of the combined authority (and some silly party politics). This has hampered growth and let down local communities. We need to put this right. It cannot wait years and North Somerset must get a priority devolution deal. https://lnkd.in/dGFtsVxt #devolution #MHCLG #LocalGovernment #NorthSomerset

Following the unveiling of the English Devolution White Paper, a seven-point guide to understanding Devolution by default: 1. The need for greater Devolution is integrally linked with key issues of economic under-performance and falling trust in politics. Further Devolution is viewed as critical – and all of England should benefit. 2. The Government wants a tier of Strategic Authorities across England, providing a ‘consistent approach’ to what is currently a confused tangle of bodies and geographies. The Government will be given the power to create SA’s where there is no local agreement. 3. The Government ‘will put Mayors front and centre’. There remains the option of non-mayoral ‘Foundation Strategic Authorities’ but they will have far fewer powers. There is a clear preference for ‘Mayoral Strategic Authorities’ of approximately 1.5 million population across England in the fullness of time. 4. ‘Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities’ will enjoy the most devolution of all, principally in the form of integrated financial settlements. Six existing combined authorities will immediately qualify – Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, the North East, South Yorkshire, West Midlands and West Yorkshire. 5. The direction of giving more powers to Mayors is accelerating. Mayors will take on more powers in areas such as Housing, Strategic Planning, Economic development/regeneration, Rail transport and, increasingly, Environment and Climate change. This is starting to look like a significant package of powers. 6. The Government is holding out the possibility of Mayors taking over the functions of Police and Crime Commissioners and Fire and Rescue Authorities, even where more than one authority is involved. They have signalled a long-term aim to align boundaries across public services, including in health. 7. The Government will reset the relationship between local and central government, including funding reform to return the sector to a sustainable position. Local Government Reorganisation will continue on its path towards unitary authorities. There are only 21 remaining two-tier county areas in England - almost as many counties are already unitary or comprise multiple unitaries - and proposals for reorganisation in the remaining areas have been invited. A guide population of 500,000 (ie similar to County Durham) is suggested, but proposals will emanate locally and decisions made on a case-by-case basis; with an ‘ambitious first wave of reorganisation in this Parliament’.

The Government's push for devolution and its impact on local authorities is ambitious, but are they striking the right balance between pace and preparation? Read Louis O'Halloran's analysis of the challenges of accelerated reforms, the debate over mayoral governance, and the long-term potential for empowered, equitable communities. https://lnkd.in/erPnvNTz

It's election day! I wrote a blog on how the two main parties are tackling place. If investment in place is important to you it's worth a read. https://lnkd.in/edwTdexD

We're calling on the government for a ‘priority’ devolution deal with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority after the publication of its devolution white paper 📣ℹ Government published its English Devolution White Paper yesterday (Monday 16 December). The paper sets out proposals for the future of local councils. It includes plans to devolve power from Westminster and Whitehall to strengthen local resilience and covers transport, skills and employment support, housing and planning, environment, climate change and both reforming and joining up public services. Earlier this year we asked for government support for a new devolution deal with the West of England Combined Authority area. The shared economic geography of the West of England and North Somerset, together with established cultural and transport links, means local leaders can act at the scale needed to effectively deploy their powers. The government has said they will announce the areas included in the ‘Devolution Priority Programme’ in due course. Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of our council, said: “We welcome the promises of changes to financing, longer term funding settlements and freeing councils from top-down micromanagement. “North Somerset needs a fair deal, it's fair share of the national cake and a fair chance to work in partnership with our neighbours and businesses to grow our economy and improve our community. “However, I am concerned that North Somerset risks being left behind because of our almost unique position of seeking entry into an existing mayoral combined authority which has elections next year. “North Somerset needs to be included in the Devolution Priority Programme, which the government announced today, and we will be continuing to make that case direct to government and through our three MPs.” #Devolution #LocalGovernment #OpenFairGreen

Lots going on with English devolution today, so here's a quick recap… Angela Rayner has written to top tier councils without devolution deals urging them to talk to the gov about devolution https://lnkd.in/eeXDzhG8 The letter says the new government wants to move away from deal making but yet urges places to get their bids in by September, no doubt kickstarting another summer of local talks (as seen in 2016 and 2020) https://lnkd.in/eYwDt3AV But the status of deals agreed by the former government but not yet signed into law, such as Norfolk, Suffolk and Greater Lincolnshire is not yet clear. Norfolk for one has not had the clarity it is seeking https://lnkd.in/euUnGckM Lots of questions remaining over what the new government deems a ‘sensible economic geography’ and what a new devo framework will look like but overall seems like little change from previous approach in sidelining districts and only devolving most significant powers to places with a mayor Reporting credits to Kirsty Weakley

Local Government Reorganisation must mean Local Public Service Reform. We wrote this at the end of 2024, still relevant for the start of 2025 - tough times require bold moves https://lnkd.in/emfTfeKT