Devolution
Whatever happened to Devo 3.0?
Devolution is here to stay ‘no matter if the Government’s preferred phrase is now place and if they want to talk in terms of levelling up not rebalancing’, says Steve Barwick of DevoConnect.
Putting the power into place
The past year has highlighted inequalities and exposed the inadequacy of centralisation while councils are dealing with a threadbare funding system. Cllr Georgia Gould and Baroness Judith Blake say funding and powers for places could make it better.
Eye spy – Somerset
Of all the threats Western democracies have faced, perhaps the gravest is the spectre of foreign state interference in elections.
Building citizen centred systems to deliver the best integrated care
Local government has the mechanisms and knowledge to ensure place, neighbourhoods and citizens are at the heart of integrated care systems which are responsive to local needs and accountable to communities, says Anja Beriro of Browne Jacobson.
Levelling up resembles a jigsaw of disparate ‘pieces of policy’
Arianna Giovannini says there is a consistent lack of clarity about what levelling up means - and it also remains unclear what areas should be 'levelled up'. The Government needs to develop a clear vision and strategy for the long-term, she adds.
Heseltine highlights devolution ‘botch’
The former deputy Prime Minister claimed the deals process had curbed ambitions in Cornwall and Newcastle.
Devolution requires ‘impetus from the top’
Prime ministerial backing is the key to making a success of devolution, MPs have heard.
Redrawing the map
Councils are the bodies to lead high street regeneration – but not without reform, argues Paul Swinney.
Pandemic’s route to devolution
We must use what has been learned from COVID-19 to agree a new relationship with Government, based on a shared commitment to devolution, argues Anthony May.
The answers cannot wait for long
If local government is to play the vital role required in the recovery of places and communities, it will need some clarity and medium-term certainty about the underpinning finance regime, says John O'Brien of London Councils.
Taking control of the devolution debate
Seb Lowe says that given the preference of government for unitary councils, failure by district councils to argue a solid alternative rationale ‘will lead to the very thing the majority are fighting to avoid’.
Labour announces ‘constitutional commission’ on devolution
Leader Sir Keir Starmer said it will look at transferring more powers from Westminster to local leaders.
The 2020s offer us the opportunity to truly realise the potential of places
When local government puts civil society at the heart of what they do, it brings democracy closer to the people, argues the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees.
Deadline day for reorganisation
Councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset face a nervous wait as the deadline passes for reorganisation proposals.
Cross-party leaders call to halt the break up of the union
A cross-party group of council leaders and mayors has written to the Prime Minister calling for action to prevent the break-up of the union.
Big banks call for localised approach to recovery
There should be no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to recovery says a banking group study involving 900 business and local political leaders across the UK.
Devolution boost for Scots councils as Bill is backed
Devolution to councils in Scotland has taken a step forward after the Scottish Government announced its support today for a private members Bill.
Community-led skills devo should be the way forward
A more comprehensive and community-led approach to devolution would enable skills strategies and local services to be joined up more effectively, says Charlotte Morgan.
A mixed bag for councils
While Sir Bob Neill says there was much in the Spending Review to applaud, ‘what’s ultimately needed is a complete repair job of local government finance’.
The devolution waiting game
The Prime Minister has said that ‘devolution…should be used as a step to pass power to local communities and businesses to make their lives better’. Is this the sort of devolution that councils expect, asks Ian Miller.
