Mayors
Combined authorities lack ‘maturity’
A metro mayor has said combined authorities are not ready to take on new powers.
Right to Buy-back fund launched
London boroughs are to receive funding to purchase former council homes on the private market.
'No appetite for fiscal devo,' says pollster
There is no public appetite for fiscal devolution, according to leading pollster Ben Page.
Mayors demand fiscal freedoms
The Government has been urged to go further with devolving powers to existing combined authorities.
Devolution key to tackling health inequalities, report finds
Sir Michael Marmot has said increased funding and far-reaching new powers must be devolved to reduce regional inequalities in England.
Sturgeon and Burnham in travel ban spat
Political leaders in Scotland and Greater Manchester have been involved in angry exchanges following the imposition of a travel ban.
Regional mayors should make their voices heard
Heather Jameson says the Government has created strong regional mayors to represent their own places and they should 'now let them roar'.
You got the look...
Diary was pleased to hear that Cllr David Kelsey has been elected as Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council’s new mayor.
Metro mayors’ mission is clear
Arianna Giovannini considers the results of the metro mayors’ elections and what they tell us about the ‘devolution revolution’ promised by former chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
Localism is important to the electorate
Janice Morphet looks at the electoral response to the management of the pandemic in England, and considers what the results mean for future devolution.
Devolved potential in Cornwall is under threat from central Government inertia
Sarah Longlands says that unlike the ‘hero’ style approach of the mayors elsewhere, Cornish devolution has been characterised by collaborative leadership. But lack of Government action is putting devolved potential at risk, she believes.
Local elections 2021: Look behind the big story
A closer look at the Super Thursday outcomes reveals a series of more complex stories, and suggests a centrally-driven levelling up agenda would be an error, says Jonathan Carr West.
Population figures ignored local evidence
A watchdog has found official population growth statistics used to agree housing targets may have been overestimated.
Local elections 2021: Voters back mayors in referendums
Tower Hamlets and Newham LBCs have both voted to keep the post of directly-elected mayor in referendums run alongside the local elections.
English elections 2021: Conservatives make gains across country
The Conservatives have taken control of 13 more councils in England in last week's local elections.
Local elections 2021: 'A disastrous election for Labour'
Labour has an 'identity crisis' after 'disastrous' local elections, opponents have claimed.
So when will Whitehall take a back seat?
Andrew Carter says that with eight mayors up for election, after a year of centrally-mandated COVID restrictions people have one clear message for the Government: ‘Give us the powers and resources to make the right decisions for our areas’.
Opportunity knocks for West Yorkshire
The winning candidate in the first West Yorkshire mayoral election will have an opportunity to shape the long-term trajectory of the region – and it’s about time, says Zoë Billingham.
Public backs more city devolution
More than eight in 10 people support more devolution to England’s largest cities, a new poll has revealed.
Mayoral votes to use ‘outdated’ system
The Government plans to switch to the first-past-the-post system to elect mayors.
