English Devolution White Paper
The government this week published a White Paper on English Devolution.
It sets out plans to increase the number of Mayors in England so that eventually all regions have one. Existing Mayors will also get more powers on planning, housing, transport and skills.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government press release talks about ‘hardwiring Mayors into the fabric of government in a new deal for local people’.
Foreword
In a Foreword, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner says that she wants to put a stop to micro-management from the centre, and move to a model of accountable local leaders.
Facing the Future
In a section titled Facing the Future, the White Paper explains the government’s aim to increase regional investment as a way of creating regional growth.
Trust in politics is at a low ebb. Handing powers to Mayors should mean people ‘take back control’, and this will increase faith in politics as a force for good.
Mayors ‘have skin in the game and are accountable to their citizens’.
How We Will Deliver
The White Paper explains how it will deliver its objectives.
A new law will create the concept of a Strategic Authority, where a number of councils work together. There will be three levels:
- Foundation Strategic Authorities – the lowest level, without a Mayor
- Mayoral Strategic Authorities and
- Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities – the most trusted authorities, which will benefit from Integrated Settlements. At first, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, the North East, South Yorkshire, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire will qualify
Each level of Strategic Authority will have statutory functions, so as to bring consistency to devolution in England.
The government wants areas to come forward and request Strategic Authority status but in case they don’t, it will create a procedure whereby a ministerial directive can set up a Strategic Authority.
Mayoral Strategic Authorities will have to produce Local Growth Plans.
There will be engagement forums as follows:
- the Council of the Nations and Regions, chaired by the Prime Minister, and with the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the English Mayors
- the Mayoral Council, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, with the English Mayors
- the Leaders Council, where council leaders meet the Deputy Prime Minister
The government intends to evaluate the impacts of devolution.
Powers, Functions and Funding
Funding
Integrated Settlements will start at the Spending Review (Spring 2025).
Mayoral Strategic Authorities will get consolidated funding pots to cover areas including housing and transport.
Councils will have multi-year funding settlements.
Transport
Strategic Authorities’ Role
Strategic Authorities will get more oversight of their local transport networks. They will have a coordination role, working with National Highways on strategic roads and with councils on local roads.
There will be a transport-specific accountability framework which evaluates outcomes.
Pavement Parking
There is mention of pavement parking on p51.
‘One example is action to address pavement parking at a national level: we will publish a formal response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation.
We will expect Strategic Authorities to play a leading role in developing a consistent approach to enforcement across their area, using available powers as appropriate’.
Active Travel
The White Paper says of active travel:
‘Active travel delivers a range of benefits for people and communities.
Active Travel England will support Strategic Authorities to increase capability and address skill gaps to ensure a consistent approach to safety and accessibility for all users, with a right to request capability assessments for their constituent authorities’.
So for example, York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority will be entitled to ask Active Travel England to assess North Yorkshire Council.
The White Paper says that the government will ‘further simplify local transport funding matched to the key transport modes’.
Local Transport Plans
It will be up to Strategic Authorities to develop Local Transport Plans.
The government commits to publishing new guidance for LTPs.
Planning
Strategic Authorities will develop Spatial Development Strategies.
Mayors will be able to raise a Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy to support the delivery of strategic infrastructure projects.
Mayors will have strategic planning powers. Mayors and Homes England will work together under Strategic Place Partnerships.
Homes England will move to a regional model to align with the English regions.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies
Strategic Authorities will take a lead role on Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
Delivering Devolution
The White Paper says there will be fewer funding pots with competitive bidding. Strings attached to funding and reporting requirements will be reduced.
Requirements to seek government consent before exercising powers will be reduced.
The government wants to move away from two-tier councils. That means that District Councils will gradually be abolished, and there will be more unitary councils.
The abolition of Harrogate Borough Council and the creation of the unitary North Yorkshire Council has not been a success.