Combined Authority
MJ Regen: The sum of all parts
Combined authorities have the tools to drive regeneration but the private sector must work in partnership to deliver, says Phil Mayall.
A proactive approach to climate change
Andrew Spencer discusses how Equans is creating sustainable communities through effective place-based decarbonisation.
MJ Regen: How to grow when the cash runs out
With the current state of council finances, we need to look again at the role of local authorities in economic development, focusing on convening and collaborating rather than delivering growth, says Dr Simon Kaye.
National Insurance devolution call
A ‘small share’ of around 5% of locally-generated National Insurance (NI) revenue should be devolved as part of tax-sharing pilots with leading combined authorities, the Institute for Government (IfG) think-tank has argued in a report.
Sweet oblivion
The election results should give greater purchase for pushing through Rachel Reeves' take on industrial strategy and addressing the continued national productivity failure, says Jonathan Werran.
Reclaiming our regions
Twelve months into a five-year project examining how to build more inclusive regional economies, Tom Lloyd Goodwin highlights four emerging priority areas for the next UK Government to address.
What next for unitarisation?
Ahead of the Mayoral elections, Steve Leach and Colin Copus ask if the proliferation of combined authorities has snookered the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ unitary authorities policy.
West of England Combined Authority announces chief
The West of England Combined Authority has appointed Stephen Peacock as its chief executive.
Future Forum: Poor energy planning 'causing barriers to green growth'
A lack of co-ordination in how the energy system is planned is causing barriers ‘not only to decarbonisation and retrofit, but to green economic growth’, The MJ Future Forum has heard.
Tees Valley councils to learn extent of financial risk from Teeswork scheme
The financial risk faced by the five councils within the Tees Valley Combined Authority is set to be laid bare in top legal advice.
We don’t need a Lyons’ 2.0
With the seminal 2007 Lyons Review in focus, Ben Franklin and Annabel Smith look at why place-shaping has captured the zeitgeist and argue local government does not need another review, and should instead 'get on and do it'.
The new mayors will need the support of Westminster to be successful
'We need to give more attention to the powers and resources mayors have, and those they need – notably more control over fiscal matters – to do the job the country needs them to do', says Andrew Carter.
Combined authority criticised for ‘inconsistent’ Best Value approach
The Government has criticised the West of England Combined Authority for what it describes as ‘inconsistent action’ over flagged value for money concerns.
More areas get level four devolution powers
West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the Liverpool city region will all receive level four devolved powers, local government secretary Michael Gove has announced.
Fresh wave of devolution could reduce regional inequalities, says report
An overhaul of the local government system and a fresh wave of devolution have been put forward as solutions to regional inequalities in a report.
Government’s thinking on transport integration is confused
Current arrangements for taxi licensing in shire counties work well and do not need to be disturbed, says Ian Miller.
Plan to fight poverty
Adrian Dougherty sets out lessons from a joined-up approach to addressing child poverty at North of Tyne Combined Authority.
Revised Best Value notices for two authorities
Two authorities have been issued with revised Best Value notices by ministers after it was found more improvement work was required.
Teesworks inquiry finds no evidence of ‘corruption’
An inquiry into accusations of corruption relating to the Teesworks scheme has found no evidence of ‘illegality’ but ‘transparency’ concerns remain.
Awakening of a sleeping giant
Ambition, opportunities and green technologies. South Derbyshire DC has huge potential and is working to unleash it. Ann McGauran reports.