Combined Authority
Former Chancellor calls for infrastructure devo deal
Former Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling has called for all infrastructure projects below £500m to be managed by local or combined authorities.
Combined authority 'spending reserves like it's going out of fashion'
Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s chief executive has expressed doubts about whether his region would be able to cope with a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Lancashire's 15 leaders vote in principle for combined authority
Leaders of all 15 local authorities in Lancashire have voted for the principle of a combined authority and an elected county mayor.
PR strategist's hall of shame
Diary is inundated with press releases, speeches and blog posts on a regular basis.
The 2020 Public Services Commission: 10 years after
Ben Lucas and Dr Henry Kippin assess the work of the 2020 Public Services Commission. They also address how society can recover from the coronavirus crisis, and argue the need for a different economic model if we want to build back better.
Call to 'shore up' worst-hit local economies
The Government should ‘shore up’ the local economies worst affected by coronavirus before levelling up, the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) think-tank has said.
Number 10 puts mayors at the forefront of recovery
Mayors should be at the forefront of recovery from the pandemic, Number 10 has said.
Helping local people gain new jobs and skills during the COVID-19 shutdown
West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a COVID-19 support website to help people who want to gain new skills, or to look for a new career. Cllr George Duggins explains.
Now is not the time for Westminster to tighten its centralising grip
Reducing the spread of the virus requires Westminster to loosen the reins of power and to trust decision-makers in local and combined authorities to know what is right for their communities, argues Sarah Longlands.
Who watches the watchers?
Donald Graham reviews the recent history of local government standards and concludes two-tier and combined authority regions would give local independent panels some traction.
Academics urge fiscal devolution
Experts have told MPs that financial powers must form part of the Government’s devolution plans.
EXCLUSIVE: Shared prosperity fund to be linked to devolution
The new regime for doling out structural funding after the Brexit transition period will be closely linked to the Government’s devolution agenda, The MJ has learnt.
Call for Government to focus on hidden homeless
Central Government’s focus on rough sleepers is hindering efforts to help ‘hidden homeless’ families, it has been claimed.
The price to pay
If the Johnson Government values the institutions of mayoral governance as agents of levelling up, they will have to creatively fund and resource them, writes Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran.
Talks bring devolution closer for Yorkshire
Devolution came a step closer in Yorkshire this week as ministers met with leaders from across the county.
The metro mayor elections will indicate how much politics has realigned
The collapse of Labour's Red Wall should give the Conservative mayors of Tees Valley and the West Midlands cause for optimism, says Andrew Carter - but the most interesting mayoral election to watch could prove to be in Greater Manchester.
Mayors press for action to fulfill election promises
Newly-won Conservative constituencies in the Midlands and northern England have begun lobbying the Government for commitments to further devolution and capital spending.
Future Forum North: Call for towns and cities to make peace
The driving force behind the Greater Manchester devolution deal has urged towns and cities to make peace.
Too many blurred lines
It is ‘small wonder economic development has failed to deliver in so many places’, says Nigel Wilcox. His message to a future government is that a confusing landscape needs simplified – and combined authorities seem to provide the best solution.
EXCLUSIVE: Single tier fear reignited
County councils are being offered the option of unitary local government as part of a devolution deal, The MJ understands.
