Devolution
A familiar face in a beefed-up role
As Michael Gove steps intro the newly-styled Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Heather Jameson charts his rise and realism on tackling the country’s current challenges.
Levelling up 'must start with councils'
A panel of experts has agreed council funding is key to addressing regional inequalities.
Council to adopt cabinet system to aid devo bid
Nottinghamshire expected to abandon the committee system it took on for decision making in 2012.
The clock is tickling
Local government is awaiting the outcome of some important announcements in the next couple of months, says Paul O'Brien. Will the Government trust councils to crack on?
CCN chair's devo pledge
The new chair of the County Councils’ Network (CCN) said unitarisation is ‘dead’ as the Government promises deeper devolution with more mayoralties.
The deal decision
The MJ rounds up the current state of play on devolution in England. Dan Peters reports.
County deals are ‘absolutely the answer’
Tim Oliver takes over this week as the new chair of the County Councils’ Network. He talks to Ann McGauran about devolution deals – and says unitarisation is ‘pretty much dead in the water’.
Pickles praises mayors during pandemic
Former local government secretary Eric Pickles has admitted he was a ‘late convert’ to the idea of metro mayors.
Delivering the prize
Nottinghamshire CC has been ‘beckoned through the door’ to express an interest in an early devo deal, says council leader and MP Ben Bradley. What does he hope could be achieved for the county and the wider regional economy? Ann McGauran reports.
Be bold on devolution
Rather than tinkering around the edges of devolution, the Government should use the Levelling Up White Paper to truly reform local government, says Andrew Carter.
The Paralympics and public procurement for the public good
We need to make sure the principles that drove big set piece investments such as London 2012 are reflected in everyday public spending, says Patrick Thomson from the Shaw Trust Foundation.
Westminster accused of Scottish ‘power grab’
A minister has suggested the UK Government could bypass Edinburgh to work with councils on infrastructure planning, provoking a furious response from the SNP.
The local government workforce: equal by default
The APSE Commission message is clear: we need a well-trained, properly rewarded workforce to meet local public services’ future challenges, says Heather Wakefield.
County areas chase devo dream
County areas are lining up to strike one of the first tranche of devolution deals.
Northern mayors wielding more power than devo deals suggest
A hundred days after the May 2021 elections Northern mayors are wielding more power – particularly ‘soft’ power - than their devolution deals suggest, says new analysis.
Cranes, communities and the future of our economies
Henry Kippin and Pat Ritchie lay out the three lessons they have drawn from their shared determination to create inclusive economic growth in Newcastle and the North of Tyne.
There's a lot to play for when it comes to delivering devolution
While Government has provided a strong steer on the basic principles of county devolution deals, it’s now down to local areas to build on this guidance and bring forward proposals in collaboration with partners, argues James Maker.
Districts call for 'equal footing' on devo deals
District leaders have written to the Prime Minister, asking for their councils to be put ‘on an equal footing’ to county and unitaries when it comes to devolution.
'Overwhelming' support for Yorkshire devolution
An overwhelming majority of people in Yorkshire are in favour of devolving powers from Westminster, a survey has found.
Reorganisation: modernise or be damned
The distraction of reorganisation may be a step too far. Or it may be the big bang needed to transform local government, says Heather Jameson.
