Devolution
Councillors back Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal
Proposals for a mayoral devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire have been approved by the three upper-tier councils.
A conspiracy of silence
Both Conservatives and Labour have been coy about how they intend to improve public services, reduce taxes and raise living standards as Michael Burton reports.
Budget: Chancellor launches productivity push
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled a Budget with little respite for local government but demands for increased public sector productivity.
Budget: Trailblazer devo deal for North East
The North East has secured a trailblazer devolution deal that could provide a package of new funding potentially worth more than £100m, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced in his Budget.
Tees Valley councils to learn extent of financial risk from Teeswork scheme
The financial risk faced by the five councils within the Tees Valley Combined Authority is set to be laid bare in top legal advice.
Growth matters
Tom Stannard talks to Ann McGauran about why strengthening local government’s economic development and regeneration role is crucial if the UK is to drive forward on growth.
The new mayors will need the support of Westminster to be successful
'We need to give more attention to the powers and resources mayors have, and those they need – notably more control over fiscal matters – to do the job the country needs them to do', says Andrew Carter.
Rayner to go ‘further and faster’ on devolution
Shadow local government secretary Angela Rayner has promised to go ‘further and faster’ on devolution if elected to Government.
More areas get level four devolution powers
West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the Liverpool city region will all receive level four devolved powers, local government secretary Michael Gove has announced.
Turning local goverment’s fortunes around
Kevin Muldoon-Smith and Mark Sandford look to Germany, Italy and Japan for inspiration as they put forward four proposals for transforming the fortunes of local government finance in England
The peer challenge
A reformed House of Lords must imply a new role in Parliament for local government leaders, says Michael Burton.
Fresh wave of devolution could reduce regional inequalities, says report
An overhaul of the local government system and a fresh wave of devolution have been put forward as solutions to regional inequalities in a report.
Levelling up requires ‘meaningful’ devolution, business group says
Business leaders have called for ‘meaningful decision-making powers’ to be devolved to local authorities to help boost left-behind regions.
Devolution has transformed the way local services work together in London
There has been an explosion of collaboration across the capital, says Alison Griffin. 'Twenty-four years on, we have many examples of joint working that impact our residents.'
Local government needs a 10 year plan for renewal
Jessica Studdert says: 'Whether or not future growth enables overall spending to rise, Treasury calculations should recognise the value of the local safety net as foundational for all other services to function effectively and less reactively.'
A call for prioritising local economic growth
In the case of councils in financial distress income-generation through a commitment to economic development must be explored, says Nigel Wilcock.
The power of two
As Devon and Torbay sign up for a groundbreaking devolution deal, Cllr John Hart explains what it will mean for local people, and how it changes the relationship with central government.
London stalling?
Nick Bowes sets out the reasons why more progress hasn’t been made on devolution in London and looks at what’s likely to happen next.
Scottish devolution: Time to re-boot
It’s time for an informed debate in Scotland on the next stage of the devolution journey, says George Thorley.
It’s time for a ‘big bang’ to fix our workforce
'There is a need to rethink workloads across the public sector, to harness new technologies to do the grunt work while staff focus on the things only people can provide', says Heather Jameson.