Devolution
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.
Tory mayor claims Whitehall blocking devolution
One of the biggest challenges to devolution comes from civil servants, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, has claimed.
Spending review: The chancellor has made some big promises – can he deliver?
The chancellor’s ambition is laudable, says research director of the Fabian Society Luke Raikes, but it will take ‘time, massive investment and above all real devolution to see the difference’.
Recovery plans key to levelling up
Government ambitions for levelling up depend on councils being given funds to fulfil local recovery plans, the All Party Parliamentary Group on devolution has been told.
Warm words mean nothing when frontline staff are snubbed
Heather Jameson says: 'The Prime Minister’s speech to Scottish Conservatives at the weekend, reiterating his commitment to devolution.... all bodes well for local government. Or does it?'
Devo is a 'stepping stone to localism', PM tells Scots Tories
Devolution should be a stepping stone to passing power down to local communities and businesses, Boris Johnson has told Scottish Conservatives.
Sunak to re-write Green Book to level up the North
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce plans to re-write the Green Book in the spending review this week, as part of the Government’s commitment to levelling up.
LGA presses to move powers out of London
Moving powers from the capital to the regions is more important than moving civil servants, the chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
