Devolution
Financial uncertainty forcing councils to award shorter contracts
The Government should offer subsidised loans to cash-strapped councils to encourage them to award longer contracts to organisations that support children with mental health difficulties, a think-tank has urged.
‘Wall of silence’ blocking county devo
Councils covering areas outside cities have been left frustrated after being met by a ‘wall of silence’ from the Government on devolution.
Stop dragging your feet on south Yorkshire devolution deal, businesses tell council leaders
Doncaster and Barnsley MBCs' willingness to explore a pan-Yorkshire devolution deal at the expense of a south Yorkshire deal is of grave concern to businesses in south Yorkshire.
West Midlands mayor discusses second devolution deal with Government
The mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority has met with the prime minister to discuss a second devolution deal for the region.
Is the county devolution door still open?
After the Northern Powerhouse minister's suggestion that devolution was a city only game, Martin Hill explains why overlooking the counties would be a missed opportunity.
Mayors are making an impact. Everywhere else should take note
Places without a mayor will fall further behind the likes of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands without a mayor, suggests Andrew Carter.
No point pursuing Yorkshire-wide devolution deal, says Sheffield South East MP
An influential MP has warned council leaders not to waste their time on ‘meaningless discussions’ exploring a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal.
Government confirms talks over second West Midlands devolution deal
Business secretary Greg Clark has suggested the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is on the brink of striking a second devolution deal with the Government.
Hughes and Goldsworthy join new finance commission
An ex-boss of Birmingham City Council has been appointed to a commission charged with finding ways to provide billions of pounds for the West Midlands.
Counties seek ‘new deals’ in current Parliament
England’s counties have called for a ‘new deal’ during the current Parliament, including devolved powers akin to those held by Britain’s major cities.
Let’s remember this sector’s true value
Heather Jameson assesses the progress Jim McMahon is making as the former Oldham leader takes on the twin challenges of finance and devolution in local government.
All change at Birmingham
Heather Jameson talks to Birmingham City Council leader John Clancy and interim chief executive Stella Manzie about the massive changes within the authority and the city as a whole.
High standards will help mayors deliver
Dr Jane Martin looks at the role of the new metro mayors who promote the seven principles of public life within their combined authorities and take a lead in embedding them across local government as a whole
A chance for us to rebuild
The region’s cities look to be at the forefront of Northern Ireland’s future following the recent DUP/Tory agreement, as Mark Morrin explains.
‘Give DCs freedom to work with other councils’
District councils should be given greater freedoms to collaborate with other authorities, a new all-party parliamentary group (APPG) report has demanded.
‘No Yorkshire devo deal’
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry this week ruled out a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal.
Yorkshire-wide devo deal ruled out by minister
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry has ruled out a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal.
A new hope for devolution?
Reaching agreement across party lines at a time of continuing budget pressures will not always be easy, but the six new mayors, together with Sadiq Khan, may be able to form a new rebel alliance to push for further devolution, writes Akash Paun.
Decreasing Whitehall’s dominance
Lord Porter makes an impassioned case for devolution, arguing local and central government cannot deliver more than the sum of their parts without urgent reform.
Local government has failed to offer a stirring vision of the future
Imagination is needed more than ever in local government, writes Ed Cox.