Now that the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has completed its statutory consultation on devolution for the six selected areas on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP), It is  a good time to take stock of what awaits the six and those other areas destined for devolution. The DPP areas have between them opted for two of the strategic authority models of either a mayoral combined authority or a mayoral combined county authority.

Unfortunately, the DPP areas have had little time to savour their success, as they embark on a 12 month journey leading to the election of the DPP area mayors.  The MHCLG consultation sought views from interested parties in each DPP area on whether the devolution proposals will benefit a devolved area and its residents. It also posed potentially trickier questions about the governance model and the boundaries of the proposed new strategic authorities. The first action which the DPP areas have already implemented is advocating/communicating to local residents and businesses the benefits of their devolution proposals. It's expected that the MHCLG will complete its consideration of consultation responses from each DPP area in May. The MHCLG has set out that any DPP area which fails the consultation or other hurdle will join the remainder areas on the general devolution route.